Women Challenged to assume their rightful positions in society(Friday, March 9, 2012)

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga Women in the Upper East Region have been challenged to assume their rightful position. The call came as the world observed the International Women’s Day celebration. At a forum in Bolgatanga to commemorate the day, an Educationist, Madam Rose Avunsige further encouraged women not to feel intimidated in their quest to attaining high positions but rather aspire and build in themselves self esteem and confidence to achieve their desired goals in life. The day was marked on the theme: “Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures; Reducing Rural Poverty”. Madam Avunsige demanded more affirmative action in ensuring that girls of school going age are given equal opportunities as their male counterparts. She further called on the GES to make frantic effort in eliminating the biases in the educational system so that girls can be empowered to unearth their inherent talent and potentials. She asserted that women reached the stage and ready to take up leadership positions and encourage girls to challenge their male folks wherever necessary. The Upper East Regional Director of the Department of Women, Ms Joycylin Adii catalogued a number of challenges militating against the progress of women and mentioned poverty as the major factor affecting the daily lives of women. Ms Addii acknowledged the significance of the day and challenged policy makers and all well meaning Ghanaians to help strengthen the capacity of women so as to help the country achieve its MDG goals. Others speakers at the programme included an experienced, Mrs. Agnes Atayila, who is presently an assemblywoman in the Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly. She told the audience that the day set aside by the UN to celebrate women’s achievements should rather be used to highlight women’s continuous hard work, endurance sacrifices, and commitment exhibited over the years. She bemoaned the low number of women in local governance and stressed the need for women in the region to master courage and zeal to be part of the country’s decision making process. -end-