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Graduate Students Association of Ghana (GRASAG) branch of the Tamale Technical University (TaTU) has held a forum on Gender for the agenda with a call for empowering of women to take center stage in national development, governance and education.
The programme dubbed “Empowering women to take center stage in national development” in collaboration with the Gender equity and equal opportunity-TaTU and Savannah Women Integrated Development Agency (SWIDA)-Ghana held at TaTU Auditorium in Sagnarigu Municipality of the Northern Region was aimed at fostering inclusive, sustainable progress in the various tertiary institutions and the nation
It was also to ensure girls and women have equal access to quality education in building a strong foundation for their participation in economic, political, and social spheres.
Zugu Lana Prof. Yakubu S. Nantogmah said, there is the need to nurture young girls in school to take up responsible roles
“We cannot always blame the government too much on girl child education, we have to blame ourselves too because the success of a child depends on the upbringing of the family. Make sure your children are well fed and ready for school because your child cannot learn on an empty stomach”, he said.
He therefore called for collaboration in nurturing the young girls for a better future.
Executive Director of Center for Equity and Equal Opportunities Prof. Adiza Sadik said, giving women the opportunity to take center stage in governance in Ghana on education, and development would help unlock a reservoir of potential that fuels progress and innovation.
The world is at a crossroads, and the voices of women must resonate in every hall of power, in every classroom, and in every community. Today, we stand united in our commitment to dismantle the barriers that have historically silenced these voices, she said.
Prof. Adiza lamented that, millions of women worldwide are still being denied access to quality education due to poverty cultural barriers and discrimination adding we must dismantle these barriers and ensure that every girl has the opportunity to learn and grow.
She advocated for policies that promote gender equality, support women’s leadership initiatives, and create educational opportunities for girls.
GRASAG can do this by providing enabling advocacy for equal access to education, fueling innovation and starving economic growth. When we educate girls and women, we provide them with tools to challenge norms, to innovate and to lead, she said.
Executive Director of SWIDA-Ghana Hajia Alima Sagito Saeed said, placing women at the center stage doesn’t mean placing them there to just look beautiful but to become resilient.
A Lecturer at UDS Hajia Ayisha Maigah said, growing an economy needs the empowerment of women contributing to socio- economic growth and development in compliment to SDG five which calls for gender equality.
GRASAG Women’s Commissioner Abdul Rahman Beilawu Napari said,the forum was to deliberate on issues affecting women and the economy.
She noted that cultural norm often leads to the marginalization of women in political and decision-making spaces, reinforcing stereotypes that view women as less capable or qualified.
The call for gender equality would ensure sustainable development and effective governance, she said.
