Every year, International Women's day is celebrated and acknowledged worldwide on March 8. After that, the pretense ends and we go back to busying ourselves with other issues until the next time it comes around.
International Women's day is a time to reflect on the progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage by ordinary women who have played historic roles in their countries and communities.
It is true that women's roles have evolved as women are now allowed, for instance, to combine family and professional abilities. But in most societies, especially in countries such as Ghana, the glass ceiling is yet to be broken for the majority of women.
Here are some 10 facts that reveal shocking realities that prove the walls of gender inequality are still rooted worldwide.
-Women perform 66% of the world’s work and produce 50% of the food. They earn just 10% of incomes and own 1% of property globally.
-Out of 197 countries, only 22 have women currently serving as heads of state – just 11.2%.
-Women outpace men in educational achievement at 58% of college graduates. While two-thirds of women graduate in the humanities and the arts, men continue to dominate in science at 60% of graduates.
-More girls than boys now complete their secondary education in 32 out of 34 OECD countries, accounting for around 60% of the total.
-In business, the gender gap remains wide. In the US, for example, only 21 of the CEOs of Fortune 500 companies are women.
-Men are promoted based on their potential, while women are promoted based on past accomplishments. Men work while women need to be seen to be working.
-Research studies confirm a direct correlation between the gender gap in economic opportunities and economic growth.
-By contrast, the smaller the nation’s gender gap, the higher its economic productivity. Where Malaysia fares here is a little tricky to assess as we get numbers exploited for seasonal gains.
-In nearly every country, women work longer hours than men and are paid less. Again, we may not have conclusive figures that say the same for our home country.
-Women in poor countries do more unpaid work, work longer hours in the informal economy and face degrading work conditions. Women and girls who are imported into the country as “slaves†from poorer countries are typically in this category.
The theme for this year's International Women's Day is #pressforprogress.
Gender Minister, Otiko Afisa Djaba has outdoored Ghana's theme for the International Women's day which is dubbed "Women Too: Press to Progress as Game Changers". According to her it is aimed at fixing the spotlight firmly on the urgent need to refocus attention on institutional and socio-cultural barriers that are preventing women from enjoying an adequate standard of living, a life free of violence and harmful practices, access to land and productive assets, food security and nutrition, decent work, education and health, including sexual and reproductive health and rights"
It is about time we all show a collective desire and commitment to gender parity which would push through the change we are expecting to see.
Like the minister said, "it should no longer men in front and women behind, and no more women in front and men behind, but we want side by side situation".