Paase: Adequate investment in women's empowerment and support for other marginalized groups has been identified as a critical strategy for harnessing the collective talents of citizens to achieve sustainable development. This conclusion emerged during a community event held in Paase in the Wa West District, marking this year's International Women's Day.
According to Ghana News Agency, Ms. Fathiyat Numbo Mohammed, a Gender Equity, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Specialist, emphasized the pervasive inequalities present in homes and communities. These inequalities, shaped by socialization, power dynamics, and political structures, continue to limit opportunities for many women and vulnerable groups to contribute to community and national development. The event, organized by World Vision Ghana (WVG) under the theme "Give to Gain," aimed to highlight the importance of women's empowerment in driving community and national development.
International Women's Day, observed annually on March 8, celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women while advocating for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls worldwide. The celebration in Paase was preceded by a float through the principal streets of the community to raise awareness of the occasion.
Ms. Mohammed explained that the theme for the 2026 celebration was intended to shift societal attitudes from charity-based support for women to recognizing the shared benefits of inclusive development. She stressed the importance of ensuring that every person, including women, has unhindered access to opportunities and is fairly represented in decision-making processes.
In a related address, Ms. Faustina-Hilda Nuah, Gender Desk Officer at the Wa West District Assembly, highlighted the vital role of rural women in national development. She called for sustained efforts to empower them and identified key challenges confronting women in the district, including limited access to education and economic constraints, which restrict their effective participation in decision-making and development activities.
Ms. Nuah pointed out that low levels of female education continue to dampen the aspirations of young girls, as some parents prioritize domestic responsibilities and early marriage over formal education. She stressed the need for sustained interventions to address these challenges and promote inclusive development in rural communities.
Some women who spoke to the Ghana News Agency expressed appreciation to World Vision Ghana for its interventions, which they said had improved school enrollment and retention among their children. They also acknowledged improvements in agricultural production through WVG support but cited limited access to markets as a major challenge.
Madam Bambo Asomah, a community member, mentioned that women in the area struggled to sustain their incomes and support their children's education, particularly during the dry season, due to the lack of alternative livelihood opportunities. She appealed for the provision of an irrigation facility to enable women to engage in dry-season vegetable farming to improve household incomes.