Traditionally, within the African society, the roles of women were limited primarily to the kitchen and childbearing. Beside these, other socio-cultural norms denied women their right to education, economic opportunities and active political participation.
However, research has shown that no nation can progress without a conscious effort to educate and actively involve women in decision-making. The active participation of women in every social aspect is not about competition as it is about complementing and fulfilling life.
As we celebrate this year’s International Women's Day under the theme “Women in Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future in a Covid-19 World”, we need to answer the question on women’s progress in ensuring an equal future as the world battles with the novel coronavirus pandemic.
On Saturday, 20th February, 2021, history was made in the aviation industry in Ghana when four ambitious young women embarked on an all-female crewed PassionAir flight from Accra-Tamale-Accra route. In the words of Audrey Swatson (a Ghanaian female pilot), whether a pilot is male or female, “Up in the sky, the wind won't blow easy knowing you are female. Forces of nature, laws of aerodynamics do not work like that”.
With the determination shown by these gallant women, the Elevate Women's Network on this day celebrates them: lead cabin crew, Judith Amoasi, cabin crew, Judith Boachie, first officer, Shelia Njonjo and captain Eva Gichuru, the pilot-in-command. Similarly, the Elevate Women’s Network also recognises the appointment of Dr Ngozi Okongo-Iwela, the first woman Director-General of the World Trade Organisation. These are but a few of the notable achievements made by our women.
On this auspicious day, we salute all these capable women and all other women playing various roles and contributing in their own diverse ways towards the progress of humanity. Even as the world is confronted with this global COVID-19 pandemic with its attendant effect on economies, institutions, individuals and particularly those in the vulnerable groups, Elevate Women’s Network uses this occasion to appreciate all women playing varied roles in the fight against the disease.
Elevate Women's Network happily CONGRATULATES them and wish all women a HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY.
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