PRESS! PRESS!! PRESS!!!
Twenty-five years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Agenda for Action – a radical blueprint for gender equality – it’s time to take stock of progress and close the differences that remain through positive, constructive acts. International Women’s Day encourages us all to reflect on the importance of gender equality, to celebrate the successes of women, and to acknowledge the work that is still left to be done. The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is, “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights.” The theme seeks to bring people from every class, age, ethnicity, race, faith and nation together to push efforts to build the gender-equal world we all deserve.
Women are gradually achieving equality with their male counterparts in school enrollment rates, health outcomes and the annual share of graduates produced globally. However, the world has not seen the same kind of progress when it comes to gender equity in economic opportunity. Women’s economic empowerment includes the ability of women to participate fully in existing markets; their access to and ownership of productive resources, access to decent jobs, control of their own time, lives and bodies; and expanded voice, agency and active involvement in economic decision-making at all levels, from households to international institutions. Women’s economic empowerment is central to realizing women’s rights and gender equality.
For we at the People’s Liberation Council, empowering women in the economy and bridging gender gaps in the world of work are key to achieving the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030. Women’s economic empowerment boosts productivity, increases economic diversification and income equality in addition to other positive development outcomes reduction in gender-based inequality. Conversely, it is estimated that gender gaps cost the economy some 15 per cent of GDP. Typically women invest far more in their families and communities than men by distributing wealth and improving the quality of life for themselves and their families.
On 8th March, International women’s day 2020, PLC joins with the world to mobilize to end gender-based violence; fight for economic justice and freedom for all; for bodily autonomy, sexual and reproductive health and freedoms; and for feminist action for climate change. We want Gender Equality technology and innovation; and Feminist leadership. “With women making up more than 50% of the world’s population and often being the main link for the family and connection to the community, there remains a great deal of work to be done to ensure equal rights in all aspects of life,”
After deliberating over the decadence of human dignity in general the PLC, has decided to mobilize the masses in Ghana and Western Togoland for liberation and development in all human endeavours. We believe that human dignity can be restored through engaging society in undertaking progressive developmental activities that turn to ennoble the human being and the environment. To be able to influence society in this direction the PLC has identified the restoration of womanly dignity as the unbreakable link between mankind of today and the future generations. As such we are calling on traditional authorities to probe deep into the past and revive the traditional values that accord respect for womanhood. Women and children must be guided to develop self-respect so that the respectable culture of the Peoples can be restored.
With the policy of making use of the least liberty to achieve the next level of freedom, the PLC has for the past two years been involving women in programs like participatory land-use plan for community development, handicrafts training and conflict resolution strategies.
Arrangements are going on with women from selected communities to pilot projects in food value chain development, animal feed production and promotion of Western Togoland sweet yam – “PUNA”
Taking into account the adage that “the devil finds a job for the idle hand” the PLC wants to compete with the devil by creating better jobs for women who will in turn draw the whole of society into sustainable joyful activity.
The Peoples’ Liberation Council of Western Togoland is therefore extending invitation to Queen mothers and community leaders to organize women and girls in their communities into development groups to benefit from PLC’s development and educational programs for women.
To those who are restless about the issue of Western Togoland Independence we request contemplation over everything they do for the sake of women and children because this class forms the cradle of future generations for whose cause any genuine fighter must sacrifice his life.
Independence is a way of life and it is identical with self-reliance. Therefore every activity that will lead to self-reliance without endangering the life of present and future generations will be fully welcome by our women and children with full gratitude those who will promote such activities.
Thank you.
KELELI TIMAH REJOICE SOSU
SECRETARY CHAIRPERSON
WOMEN IN DEVELOPMENT WOMEN IN DEVELOPMENT
