TUC calls for gender equality by 2024
Mrs Winifred Amugi, former Second Vice Chairperson of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), has called for programmes in the financial sector that specifically addresses the challenges of women.
She said women in the banking sector are facing “rigid” challenges due to the dedicated hours of work in denial of their responsibilities at home, adding that “we cannot blame them” for spending less time at home.
Mrs Amugi called on financial institutions to address the issue of transfer by locating employees near their respective residence for easier work and home management.
This was disclosed in a conference by the Trade Union Congress to celebrate International Women Day on the theme “Trade Union in the changing World: step it up for gender equality 2024”.
Mrs Naomi Dede Otu, Titular Public Service International (Global Union) East and West Africa, also encouraged women to embrace technology as a “step it up” in the education social and health centre among others.
She said women needed to create time to address the welfare of their children.
Ms Adwoa Sakyi, who also spoke at the conference, said women needed to step up collective bargaining/agreement in the area of employment and Ante Natal care as a strategy for gender equality 2024.
According to Mrs Patricia Blackson Akakpo, a gender specialist, trade Unions in Ghana Must support gender parity genuinely to address the gender gaps in various disciplines, adding that women need to move beyond their comfort zones. “We need equity”, she stressed.
Meanwhile General Secretary of the TUC Dr Yaw Baah, said societal challenges in the home; work places and churches must be addressed to encourage women empowerment.
“God Created male and female but society created women and men…in the process of creating the woman, they deny you education” because they believe women belong to the home, he said.
Mrs Aba Sampson, the Chairperson of the Conference, in an address acknowledged the importance of the International Women Day, saying it is a day women in society should reflect upon concerning their contributions and achievement.
She noted that TUC had been a strong advocate in women participation in all unions and noted that this year’s celebration was significant for the fact that women who contributed to the independence of Ghana were being celebrated.
Source: GNA