Member of Parliament for the Walewale constituency, Hajia Lariba Zuweira Abudu has said recent developments in the international and municipal spheres demonstrate the feasibility and desirability for women to lead, especially during landmark crises such as the COVID19 pandemic situation.
However, the Ghanaian lawmaker believes issues of women in leadership and gender equality requires strong political will to achieve.
Commemorating this year’s International Women’s Day on Monday, 8 March, 2021, the Walewale legislator in a statement copied to THE CUSTODIAN cited the election of the Nigerian economist, Dr Ngozi Okonja-Iweala as Executive Director of the World Trade Organization as a good move pertaining to women leading very important positions particularly at a time that COVID-19 has impaired multilateral trading system.
“Similarly, the good people of Walewale have reposed their confidence in me to represent them in parliament and to participate in the formulation of policies that will assure meaningful socio-economic progress and development”
Commenting on the theme for this year’s celebration, “Women in Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future in a COVID-19 World” the former Deputy Chief Executive of the Northern Development Authority said Ghanaian women and girls deserve a future that is sustainable, peaceful and that presents equal opportunities to all persons.
“To achieve this, all societies must ensure the inclusion and active participation of women and girls in leadership and decision-making” she
Notwithstanding that, the Walewale Member of Parliament commended President Nana Akufo-Addo for demonstrating his commitment to gender equality with the appointment of Madam Akosua Frema Opare as first ever female Chief of Staff of Ghana and some other female appointees in his government.
Meanwhile, the United Nations sustainable development goal 5 advocates for gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls.
In this effort, Mrs. Abudu urged the relevant stakeholders to be guided by the specific targets and fight all forms of discrimination against all women and girls, eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation as well as all harmful practices such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
