A senior stateswoman, Joyce Aryee, has entreated the government to do more to support working women get back onto their feet as the country works to recover from the economic challenges occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to her, women have been the hardest hit by the global downturn; hence, would need tailor-made support that would restore their roles at home and in the country.

The former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Chamber of Mines said these when she engaged members of the Forestry Commission Ladies, an association of female staff of the Commission.

“Many of the challenges that mothers around the world face as a global health threat and the result in economic downturn have created crisis that has disproportionately affected women.”

“When people are sick, it’s not the fathers or the brothers that take care of them; it is the mothers, the sisters, the aunties who give the care,” she stated.

In 2021, Ghana obtained an overall score of 0.14 in the area of political empowerment and the gender gap index.

The Sustainable Development (SDG) Goal 5 advocates for gender balance in politics while championing the full participation of women in leadership and decision making roles.

Joyce Aryee stressed that unless women receive extra help, it would be impossible for them to catch up.

She stressed that women play crucial roles in raising individuals for national development, a reason more efforts should be made to prioritise their involvement in national discourses and policy making.

“The conditions facing mothers around the world are very stark. About 300,000 die during and following pregnancy and childbirth each year, according to WHO estimates.”

“That number has dropped almost 35% between 2000 and 2017, but it’s still frustratingly high, especially considering that most maternal deaths can be prevented,” she added.

On her part, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Forestry Commission, Martha Kwayie-Manu, noted that the roles played by women in the Forestry Commission cannot be underestimated.

She observed it is the reason women working at the Commission ought to be supported to be at their possible best to ensure the Forestry Commission delivers on its mandate.