Every year in March, the International Women’s Day (IWD) is observed. This year, March 8 is the day earmarked for the celebration of the great achievements of our daughters and Mothers.
Over the years, I have been consistent with my coverage of the IWD in this column. But before I delve into what we should expect this year, let me share with you some of the interesting themes that I have covered here so far, to reflect on the great achievements of our mothers, sisters and daughters.
For example, in the March 13, 2021, edition, I took time to write about the 2021 International Women’s Day, which was also observed on March 8, and on the theme, “Choose to Challenge”.
This was an interesting period in our history as humans living on Earth. This was the time that the COVID-19 pandemic had disrupted global social and economic activities, so, the day was marked by several virtual programmes.
“Throughout history, women have birthed and nurtured human activities of all kinds. It takes a woman to taste and enjoy life for the first time.
No wonder ‘mother earth’ is common to many cultures”, I wrote in the March 13, 2021, edition. In that edition, too, I used the focus on achievements by women to write about two women, and how they had worked hard to challenge the status quo. And I used some examples too!
Here is one: “Let me now expose you to some of the wonderful literature on the achievements of some great women. I hope you are aware of the harmful effects of DDT, right?
Well, Rachel Carlson, a biologist, was the first to study the harmful effects of DDT in the early 1960s.
Significantly, she chose to challenge the status quo, as it wasn’t easy for her at the time to make known her study and defend her position.
She came up against fierce attacks from the chemical industry lobby groups. She resisted and finally succeeded in promoting her ideals. Today, she can be considered as one of the founders of the modern environmental movement”.
The 2024 event is another example of how I use this column to explain the role of women in economic growth. In 2024, the theme for IWD was “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress”.
The theme was aimed at tackling economic disempowerment and promoting a just world for the common good. Of course, women empowerment, indeed, is a continuum and not just an event!
And at an event at the World Trade Organisation in Geneva to mark the day, Ms Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, had this to say: “Female leaders tend to possess qualities that can be especially beneficial in times of geopolitical tensions. One study finds that they are particularly good at thinking holistically, managing complexity and embracing cooperation”.
She continued: “As we celebrate International Women’s Day, I think of the young women that I see today, and the opportunities that stand before them.
And the words of the writer, Gertrude Stein, come to mind: ‘You are extraordinary within your limits, but your limits are extraordinary.’ Because today is not simply about how we, as women, respond to a changing global economy. It is about how we shape it, too.”
This year, the organisers have chosen “Give to Gain” as the theme. So why Give to Gain”? Well, I did a little research on it and what I found was that the theme was carefully chosen to encourage “people and organisations to give time, resources, mentoring, funding and visibility to support women’s rights”. And of course, to also express that you gain when you give!
The United Nations has themed the International Women’s Day: “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls. Taken together, they all promote the rights and support for women, which are crucial to inclusive growth.
Women are always giving to society in a big way, and their role in balancing economic growth cannot be overemphasised.
There is a great store of literature on how, at the micro level, women have helped develop informal sector activities to supplement efforts at the formal level.
The small “tabletop” business activities have often proved life-changing for many; through the small susu activities, savings habit is cultivated and for generations, it has been the most valuable knowledge that our forebears bequeathed to us. That is why women are worth celebrating.
The global economy certainly needs strong efforts to build inclusive growth because we cannot stay on the same road and repeat the past; we must apply fresh thinking and choose a new road where innovation delivers even stronger and more inclusive growth. In fact, women empowerment is a catalyst for global development.
World Bank studies over the years have proved that in countries where women are better educated, there are better economic outcomes.
What is needed at the broad level of development initiatives are policies aimed at ensuring that women have greater freedom of action and are part of the sustainable development paradigm.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh
