Let’s remove gender disparities to sustain next-generation — First Lady

The First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo–Addo, has called for the removal of all forms of gender biases and discrimination against women to create a conducive environment for the next generation to function.

She said the removal of inequalities and biases had been a long-standing struggle, and that the slogan “equality before the law” must be translated into reality.

Mrs Akufo-Addo made the call at a public discussion organised at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, in commemoration of the International Women’s Day, on the the theme: “Breaking the Bias.”

The First Lady said gender should not be the determinant of access to opportunities at the social and cultural levels and that: “Women must negotiate their ways into equality.”

She called for equal pay for equal work among all sexes and women must not be paid less just because they were women.

“This generation must pass on the baton and be at the front line to advocate for an equal world, and in ensuring that the experiences acquired inspired the next generation,” Mrs Akufo-Addo said.

Bias and discrimination were not normal and no excuse could make them right, she said.

Mrs Akosua Frema Opare, the Chief of Staff, said the introduction of the Free Senior High School Policy by the Government had increased girls’ enrolment and had, therefore, enhanced equality in education.

The global digitisation drive had also allowed equal gender involvement and access to information, however, the hostile political environment made women less likely to influence policies.

There were also gender inequalities in studies, especially with regard to Science, Mathematics and Engineering and called for the elimination of disparities at all levels.

Professor Rita Akosua Dickson, the Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, said the practices of biases could be a form of violence to the soul and urged society to avoid stereotyping to enable both males and females to realise their full potentials.

She emphasised the need for gender parity, which motivated women “to think, act and be gender intelligent.”