The role of women in shaping families, communities and nations cannot be overemphasised.
Yet, fewer women are given the opportunity to participate actively in leadership all over the world.
Though female participation has improved over the past two decades, women are still significantly underrepresented in top decision-making roles globally.
Women hold roughly about one-third or less of leadership roles worldwide.
This is why each year, the International Women’s Day brings renewed attention to the value women bring to the table.
This year’s theme carries a powerful message: when women invest their time, money, knowledge, leadership and other resources to others, the whole society gains significantly.
As usual, this call requires a more intentional effort to translate the theme – Give to Gain – into meaningful action.
Families, children
For Ghana, the clarion call lies in strengthening families and improving the lives of children.
Across the country, many children face serious challenges.
These include poverty, malnutrition, gaps in early childhood stimulation, teenage pregnancy and exposure to unsafe digital environments.
Some children also struggle with limited access to quality education and health services.
Addressing these issues requires strong communities and engaged families. Inarguably, women carry the weight of this burden and ,therefore, remain central to this effort.
ven though many have interpreted the theme as women supporting women, the understanding goes far beyond that. Mentorship among women and investment in girls’ education are essential.
The broader goal, however, should aim at strengthening the entire family and community ecosystem in which children grow.
Women are not only bearers and advocates for girls.
They are also the mothers of boys, leaders in households and influential voices within society.
When women give, the benefits should reach all children.
Investments
Women should step up their investment in mentorship and knowledge sharing.Whilst experienced professionals are guiding younger women and girls through their education, career paths and leadership, older mothers and caregivers can support younger parents by sharing practical knowledge about child health, nutrition and peaceful home-making.
Parents/ caregivers should learn and teach others how to make a lasting difference in brain development of children in the early years in their day-to-day interactions.
According to the famous World Bank quote, “empowering women economically is one of the most powerful ways to reduce poverty and improve children’s well-being”.
Any government that ,therefore, campaigns on a message of poverty reduction but does not prioritise financial empowerment of women has not yet grasped the true meaning of this quote.
I dare say economic empowerment of women is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty, yet this simple fact has eluded many countries.
Financially empowered women invest in their families, communities and the future.
This is how powerful the gain can become when much is given to a woman.
Many Ghanaian women already participate in savings groups, small businesses and cooperative associations.
By expanding access to financial literacy, digital skills and entrepreneurial training, women can grow their economic capacity. When women control resources, they are mostly channeled into education, health and commerce.
Leadership
Most powerful of all is the role that women leaders can play in community advocacy.
Their dedication, empathy and appeal alone in local communities, schools, churches and civic organisations can champion policies and initiatives that promote better nutrition programmes, safer learning environments and protection of children from exploitation and child sexual abuse.
The theme must not be misconstrued.
The empowerment does not exclude men and boys.
Healthy societies are built on partnership, not competition.
Boys also need guidance, role models and emotional development. Fathers and male caregivers play an essential role in nurturing and protecting children.
When men are encouraged to participate actively in cartelising and education by women, families become stronger and children thrive.
Women must ,therefore, consider leading initiatives that promote responsible fatherhood, shared parenting responsibilities and mutual respect between boys and girls, in view of this theme.
We are reminded that when women are empowered, there are endless benefits to families, societies and the nation.
The writer is a Child development expert/Fellow of the Zero-To-Three Academy, USA.
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Source:
www.graphic.com.gh