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The Centre for Equity and Equal Opportunities of TaTU in collaboration with WeeNorth Ghana commemorated the “International Women’s Day on 8th March, 2023 with a workshop under the theme “Embracing Equity Amongst University Community Members, Mainstreaming Gender Diversity in TaTU” The occasion was honored by members from WeeNorth Ghana, the Vice Chancellor, Registrar, members of staff, and students of the University.
As the theme for the year suggest, “Embrace Equity”, the university is set to provide opportunities for all students to excel especially paying attention to their peculiar needs. The Vice Chancellor of the University Professor Abass Braimah in his welcome remarks added that the University has plans to set up a day care center to take care of kids so that their mothers can concentrate on their studies and pick them up after school.
Dr. Nancy M. Drost, the Field Manager of WeeNorth added that, Gender Equality seeks to achieve human rights for women and men. The focus is to introducing women to industrial trades through single- sex workshops and gender, responsive pedagogy and orienting employers to the gender-sensitive workplace, providing empowerment sessions to girls along with trades training. These measures are effective when they are regulated in society, through laws and policy. They are not about being “nice to women” or about individual negotiations for situations which seem to ‘benefit’ women. Gender equality cannot be achieved in environments that are ‘sexist’ – believe are inferior, do not have equal rights, and where no effort is made to change existing patterns of behaviour (individual, collective, institutional) that discriminate against or are unfair to women.
For industry, the workplace is gender- sensitive and free from harassment of women are given the same opportunities to work on task as men-quotas are in place providing women with equal chances, for employment – this is fostered by the industry’s strategies and policies.
The Director of CEEOP, Professor. Adiza Sadik on her representation “Understanding Gender Diversity Issues: Global and National Perspectives” added that the concept of diversity which seeks to include women and children is still relevant in this era and women must not be disregarded or considered irrelevant. They must be allowed to bring out their potentials. It is not about competing with men but work together to achieve a goal.
On their submission, Madam Cynthia Azochiman Awuni (a lecturer with the Hospitality Department) and Dr. Jalilatu Ayuba (a lecturer with the department of Sustainable Agriculture), added that, women should be encouraged to study and pick up in Science and Technology TVET-related careers that can challenge existing social norms that only men can work in such industries. There is the need to improve accessibility of important TVET information especially to women. Women must be looked beyond the kitchen.
The occasion ended with a closing remark from Professor Marco Claudio, a representative of GIZ. In his remarks, he expressed appreciation to all CEEOP team for making the workshop possible. He encouraged the women to present themselves in a manner that challenges the status quo created for women by the society, devoid of fear. This decision should be personal.
