The Aya Institute for Women, Politics and Media has expressed the need for digital technology in advancing gender equality in the country.

According to the Institute, it is advocating the use of digital technology to break barriers and close the various inequality gaps.

The gender-based research institution in a message to celebrate the International Women’s Day (IWD) 2023, revealed that improved digital structures in education, health, business, and general day to day transactions in different aspects of people’s lives will expand women’s lives and opportunities and bring them closer to better living standards.

It noted that the last decade has witnessed new ways of harnessing digital technology.

“Aya Institute on this day is asking government, international development partners, academic institutions, business support entities, CSOs and all stakeholders of national development to first, recognize the instrumental role digital technologies can play in breaking barriers. The Aya Institute admonishes same that we harness digital technology for advancing gender equality.”
Aya Institute

Aya Institute indicated that increasing access to digital technology for women has rippling impact on their businesses and the management of their homes and community through the access to information and data. In light of this, it noted that this has become important as the world celebrates individual women and pro-gender organizations alike who keep working towards achieving a gender-responsive society through individual and corporate efforts.

Aya Institute further applauded the Communications Ministry and its allied agencies for the initiatives.

“Ghana has made significant gains especially in the training and recognition of women in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Innovation through the ‘Girls in ICT’ initiative spearheaded by the Ministry of Communication and Digitalization. This initiative is laudable as it recognizes young girls excelling in this area and encourages other schoolgirls to participate in this initiative thereby having a better representation ultimately.”
Aya Institute

Government urged to pass Affirmative Action Law

Meanwhile, the Association of Women in the Media (ASWIM) has entreated the government and parliament to see to the passing of the Affirmative Action Law.

The group in a statement signed by the President, Mavis Kitcher, indicated that the Affirmative Action Law, which has been pending for a decade, when passed, will “help make women’s contributions count even better for the building of a dynamic and balanced society in the interest of all”.

As part of the celebration of the International Women’s Day, ASWIM urged the government to employ strategies based on equity to increase the participation of Ghanaian girls and women in the space to thrive.

This, it explained, is because advancement for every nation today is propelled by Science, Innovation and Digital Technology.

Equity interventions, ASWIM believes, should be pursued over those of equal opportunities, to create fairness for girls and women in STEM school enrolment, capacity-building programmes, incubation and start-ups of businesses and access to financing in this space.

Additionally, ASWIM expressed support to the call of the UN Secretary-General for action on online education, removal of systemic barriers and a proactive approach to increase women’s participation and leadership in science and technology to address the imbalance.

The group used the opportunity to celebrate Ghanaian women for their immense contribution towards achieving an inclusive society in the nation’s quest to attain sustainable national development.

“On this momentous occasion, ASWIM affirms that it embraces Equity for the advancement of women and girls and wishes all Ghanaian women ‘Ayekoo’ for their diverse contributions to sustaining our Motherland.”
Association of Women in the Media

Moreover, the U.S. Embassy in Ghana is commemorating International Women’s Day across Ghana, highlighting U.S. support for women and their essential role in Ghanaian life, culture, education, politics, and economy.

In honor of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, the U.S. Embassy, Alliance Française Accra, and Goethe-Institute Ghana are hosting the Women in Motion Film Festival in Accra from March 8-17.