The Ashanti Regional Director of the National Population Council (NPC) Mrs Mercy Adomaa Besseah has asked the government to address gender employment and pay gaps in the country.
The move she believes will help promote equal opportunities for men and women in the labour market.
According to the World Bank Report (2022), the labour force participation rate for women in Ghana stands at 49.6% which is slightly lower than men at 63.4%. In addition, according to a research expert (Doris Dokua Sasu, 2022), the population of males employed in Ghana was estimated at 7.2 million and female employees were projected to be slightly lower around 6.3 million. That means men have a comparative advantage over women when it comes to employment opportunities. Moreover, women’s average hourly wages are approximately 21% lower than their male counterparts.
As a result, Mrs Adomah Besseah believes that, when men and women in the labour market are paid equally, it will facilitate the development of the nation.
The Ashanti NPC Director made the appeal in her press statement on this year’s World Population Day, themed: ‘Unleashing the power of gender equality: Uplifting the voices of women and girls to unlock our world’s infinite possibilities’.
In the presser, she said, the country must endeavour to ascertain gender equality to enhance the growth of the nation.
“Gender equality is a fundamental principle that drives social progress and fosters sustainable development.
The high proportion in the numbers of women and girls has implications for development if given equal opportunities, particularly in terms of empowerment in education, health, politics, agriculture, and employment among others. By promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls, Ghana can unlock the infinite possibilities and create a more inclusive, equitable and prosperous nation.” She stated.
Mrs Mercy Besseah further said, there have been efforts to combat violence against women and girls, however, the situation persists.
According to the GDHS, 2022, approximately 27% of women aged 15-49 have experienced physical violence while 6% have experienced sexual violence.
For this reason, there is a need for concerted efforts from government, civil society and communities to eradicate such violence and harmful practices including child marriage and female genital mutilation.
Source: Oyerepafmonline.com/Joseph Marfo
