By Kingsley Nana Buadu
The Female Journalists for Women and Rural Development In Africa (FJ-WoRDA) has called on government to work to consciously provide women with tools that enhance their jobs and roles. On a day women are being celebrated worldwide FJ-WoRDA congratulates Women for their immense contribution to Ghana’s development.
A statement issued and signed by its Executive Director, Shirley Asiedu-Addo said women must be equipped to optimize their potential with the appropriate technological know-how and technologies.
“In a developing economy such us ours, the efforts of women remain critical to our homes, communities and country.
From the farmer to the Koko seller, market women, journalists, technicians to the corporate executive women and politicians, women continue to make immense contributions to the development of the country.
FJWoRDA’s stated that the impact of these roles could be maximized through the use of appropriate technologies.
Indeed the effort by the government to support women into areas that were previously a preserve for men by encouraging more girls into technical and vocational education is laudable.
While commending government for the continuous efforts towards women’s development FJWoRDA said more needed to be done for women everywhere to access technology enhance their business and make their roles easier.
“The many technology training fora by government agencies and non-governmental organizations are laudable in helping bridge the technological know-how for both genders.
While their role cannot be overlooked, women still have little access to innovative technologies.
Can the koko seller gain some training and access to a technology that will enable her access customers easily.
Can the mother in the hinterland reach a health service provider faster using technology?
The association also expressed worry over the country’s maternal mortality rate, which currently stands at 310 per 100,000 live births, saying it was a worrying phenomenon which needed to be addressed.
“FJ-WoRDA, therefore, urges the government to work to improve the maternal mortality rate by strategizing to improve access to health care facilities.
Women dying while giving birth must be a worrying concern for us as a nation.
On the shortage of vaccines for infants, FJWoRDA said government must resolve the shortage issue regarding the shortage of vaccines for infants including polio and measles vaccines “with urgency to give mothers some peace of mind.”
“Mothers continue to go in and out of hospitals seeking to vaccinate their wards but to no avail.
The hours spent and the psychological effect on mothers are overwhelming.
We again urge government and other abled organizations to bring health care services closer to all.”
On this year’s International Women’s Day, FJ-WoRDA commends women everywhere for their tremendous contribution to humanity and particularly for helping sustain the human race.
FJWoRDA expressed gratitude to men for their support in addressing issues affecting women.
“We want to thank men for the support they continue to give women and urge women to continue to selflessly contribute to making their communities better.
Women should also continue to impact society positively with their uniqueness as women.
As the world marks International Women’s Day, we wish all women in Ghana and the world in general, a Happy International Women’s Day”, it stated.