This year's International Women's day has been characterized by numerous talks, rallies, networking events and marches by various organizations, with the aim of calling for solutions for fixing socio-cultural barriers and celebrating efforts of women.
Ghana is no exception as it has chosen the theme "Women Too: Press to Progress as Game Changers", derived from the worldwide theme for 2018, which is #PressforProgress.
As part of efforts to celebrate women and their contributions to society, PrimeNewsGhana put the spotlight on some Ghanaian women who go about their businesses each day to fend for their families as well as fulfill a societal need by providing their services and products.
Most of these women spoke about the need to avoid being over-dependent on men as it is the sole cause of inequalities.Â
Watch Video of women sharing their stories and advise on International Women's Day here:
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Background on International Women's Day
The first fight for women’s rights dates back to 1908, where 15,000 women took to the streets in New York City to protest for better pay, short working hours, as well as the right to vote. The following year, the Socialist Party of American declared the last Sunday in February as the first National Women’s Day in honor of the strike that took place the previous year.
Then, in 1910 during an international conference dedicated to working women, a female named Clara Zetkin proposed an annual Women’s Day event be held on the same day in other countries around the world. It was a unanimous decision among the more than 100 women from 17 countries (which included the first three women elected to the Finnish Parliament).
The first International Women's Day was observed one year later by over one million women and men who attended rallies in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. And their cause had expanded—these pioneers were also protesting for women’s right to vocational training and to end job discrimination.
Between 1913 and 1914, the date was changed from March 19 to March 8. The United Nations (UN) celebrated this annual event for the first time in 1975.
The day brings together global governments, women's organisations, businesses and charities together under the banner of International Women's Day.
The day itself will be marked with talks, performances, rallies, networking events and marches.