The Savannah Women Integrated Development Agency (SWIDA – Gh) has marked the International Women’s Day with student leaders in various schools in and around Tamale.
The event which took place at the auditorium of the Tamale Technical University, is on the theme ‘’BREAKING THE BIAS: Speaking out Towards a Gender Equal World Today for a sustainable Tomorrow”, and was in collaboration with the office of the TATU Women’s Commissioner.
The International Women’s Day, celebrated every 8th of March, is a day on which the society is reminded about the inequalities that exist between men and women, as well as what needs to be done to bridge the gap of unfairness in families and at the workplaces, to which women are always at the receiving end.
This year’s theme “Breaking the Bias”, seeks to call out all the acts of bias and discrimination that take place in society, which hinder the growth and well-being of the woman.
SWIDA – Gh’s event on the day, is one such events, aimed at giving a voice to the woman to call out the bias and to reassure the society of the potentials she has, which therefore put her at the right position to earn opportunities.
In attendance to the event included 200 young female leaders across tertiary institutions in the northern region, associations, SHS students, the Song-Ba Empowerment Centre, as well as members of some youth led – organisations who are partners of SWIDA – GH.
Speakers at the event included the former Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Sagnarigu, Hajia Mariam Iddrisu, the former Regional Director for the Dept. of Gender, Mr Zakari and the Regional Girls Education Officer, Madam Linda Amoah.
The speakers in their speech highlighted everyday stories that resonate with the theme and why we need to collectively tackle these issues that do not promote the growth of women or endanger their lives.
Speaking on the topic ‘’ becoming the bias breaker’ Hajia Mariam Iddrisu, former MCE for the Sagnarigu municipality and now the Executive Director of Girls to Women Foundation shared some steps towards breaking the bias.
According to Hajia Mariam, as the first female MCE in a more conservative community in the northern region, she is a bias breaker herself.
She highlighted her experiences from her days as a student leader in the university to occupying the post of the MCE for Sagnarigu.
The former MCE mentioned the steps, challenges and lessons learnt in her journey towards occupying a leadership position.
As a bias breaker, she says girls need to be assertive, believe in their leadership ability and have a great support system that they can rely on before they can become bias breakers.
The regional Girls Education Officer, Madam Linda, speaking on the topic: “The Impact of Gender Bias on the development of Northern Ghana” ,highlighted biases towards girls and how these negatively affect their development and growth.
To madam Mariam, the fight to breaking the bias is an all-inclusive one.
She particularly called out parents, community and religious leaders who are deeply involved in giving out girls to marriage either planned or unplanned, rather than getting them educated.
She said women should be open to change in developing their inner strength, their ambitions, and their passion, rather than consciously demoralizing themselves.
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