Provide Adequate Resources For Gender Ministry - TUC

The Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC) has called on government to provide adequate resources for the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to play effective role in bridging the gender inequality gaps in the country. A statement signed by Mr Kofi Asamoah, Secretary General of TUC-Ghana and copied to the Ghana News Agency on Monday said as a country, the commitment to gender equality is embodied in the National Constitution, but not much had been done towards achieving the objective. �We still have less representation of women in all sectors of our economy, except for the informal economy where more women ply their trade for survival,� it said. The statement said women are discriminated against in all spheres of life whether at home, workplace, in wages as well as social status adding, �In addition, they are sexually assaulted, molested and harassed and in some cases, women are treated as a commodity.� According to the statement, the struggles of women are multiple � too often within their families for independence; then in the work place for rights and equal opportunities; in their various unions for access and representation and as union leaders. �We, in the trades union movement will continue to create the enabling environment for our women members to take up leadership positions, it behooves women and men to join hands to eliminate these inequalities from our society,� it said. The statement also congratulated women all over the world and Ghanaian women in particular on the occasion of the 2014 International Women�s Day. It said this year�s theme �Inspiring Change� was timely as it encouraged advocacy for women�s advancement everywhere and in every way. �It calls for challenging the status quo for women�s equality and vigilance while inspiring positive change,� the statement said. The statement called on citizens to start the positive change for a better women empowerment grounds in the country. �As we mark this year�s International Women�s Day, the call is whether you are female or male, let us start the change for the better today, while we inspire as many people as we can to enable us to achieve maximum socio-economic development devoid of gender inequalities,� the statement said. International Women�s Day is celebrated on 8th March every year to celebrate the social, political and economic achievements of women, while focusing attention on areas requiring further action.