UPSA Gender Unit commemorates International Women’s Day 2021

The Gender Unit in partnership with the Drolor Centre for Strategic Leadership at the University of Professional Studies, Accra has marked this year’s International Women’s Day with a firm call for a collective action and shared ownership for driving the gender parity agenda.

The Day was observed with a virtual seminar under the theme “Women in Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future in a COVID 19 World.”

Speaking at the online seminar, Mrs Patience Araba Mba, head of the UPSA Gender Unit, reemphasized the significant roles women play in society and outlined their contributions to national development.

She also elaborated on the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and toward a sturdy recovery from the shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic which appear to have impacted more women and girls.

In reiterating the theme for this year, Mrs Mba stressed that the struggle for gender equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights. That, Mrs Mba said, was the sure way of making the International Women’s Day impactful.

Dean of the Faculty of Management, Dr Fidelis Quansah, observed that celebrating the achievements of women and increasing visibility, while calling out inequality, was key to bridging the gap between men and women.

She outlined some techniques that women leaders can adopt in order to cope with the stress often associated with balancing their work schedules with other responsibilities.

Participants at the seminar also deliberated upon other critical issues which centered on women in leadership, their prospects as well as challenges.

The participants, who included lecturers, students and a few members of the public, shared their experiences as leaders and the challenges facing them as they strive to combine their leadership roles with domestic responsibilities in this COVID-19 era.

The women’s symposium was organised by the Gender Unit of the University in collaboration with the Drolor Centre for Strategic Leadership. The occasion was also used to encourage women to rise up to their responsibilities irrespective of the challenges they may face.

Globally, the International Women’s Day on March 8 has been set aside to annually celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender equality.