Nestlé Ghana celebrated its International Women’s Day (IWD) with a call for renewed action to address persistent gaps in gender equality, particularly in leadership, workplace culture and well-being.

The event, held at the company’s head office in Accra on Tuesday, March 17, brought together staff, health professionals and industry players under the theme “Give to gain.”

Managing Director of Nestlé Ghana, Salomey Azavedo, in her opening remarks, urged society to rethink long-held expectations placed on both women and men.

She questioned cultural norms that discourage men from expressing emotions. “People say ‘men don’t cry’. What do you expect him to do with all those emotions?” she asked.

According to her, such expectations often lead to negative outcomes. “We are not allowing them to be in touch naturally with their emotions… so they become aggressive,” she said.

She said that gender equality must include creating space for men to also make personal choices without pressure.

“As we demand rights for ourselves, let’s remember these are connected with the rights we also provide to the boys and men around us,” she added.

Mrs Azavedo encouraged participants to live the event’s theme beyond slogans, saying, “This should not just be a theme or slogan, but something we should live,” she said.

She explained that supporting others ultimately strengthens society as a whole. “Any investment we give to someone is to make that person better… and giving to someone can only make you better,” she said.

She also called for greater empathy in workplaces and communities. “Remain with your eyes and your ears open to the challenges of the person sitting next to you,” she advised.

Speaking to Myjoyonline.com, Clinical and Health Psychologist Masha Boi Bashiru highlighted the need to prioritise mental health, especially for women navigating multiple pressures.

“As women, we go through a lot of silent battles… there are a lot of expectations and stigma,” she said.

She pointed out that workplace stereotypes continue to limit women’s opportunities.

“Many organisations tag women as more emotional, so they feel certain managerial roles are not for them,” she explained.

She cited data showing that women occupy less than 26 per cent of top senior management roles in Ghana, describing it as a significant gap.

To address this, she called for more supportive work environments, noting, “We need to empower women to feel safe to talk about issues that affect them,” she said.

She also emphasised the importance of normalising conversations around mental health.

“The more we talk about mental health, the easier it is for people to accept that these issues exist,” she added.

A panel discussion also highlighted women's personal experiences breaking into male-dominated sectors.

A Sales Performance Development Manager at Nestlé Ghana, Marian Quayson Teschmaker, recalled that she initially leaned toward marketing but was encouraged to pursue sales during her recruitment process.

“At the end of the interview, she said she thought I would be better in sales than in marketing,” she said.

Though unsure at first, she embraced the challenge and grew into the role.

“I saw other leaders in sales… learning from them, I am where I am today,” she said.

Her success, she said, has encouraged other women to pursue similar paths. “They see that you are able to excel in an area dominated by men, and they realise they can also excel,” she added.

On her part, a Consultant General Surgeon at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr Florence Dede, urged participants to take better care of their health.

“Being kind to your body means giving it all it needs to function well,” she said.

She likened the body to a machine that requires regular maintenance and warned against neglecting health, saying, “We should be intentional about keeping ourselves in good health,” she advised.

She also encouraged early detection and regular check-ups, particularly for conditions affecting women.

“Let’s be sensitive to our own bodies. When something changes, let’s not ignore it,” she said.

Discussions throughout the event highlighted several areas for action, including the need to challenge systems that do not work, listen to others’ experiences, and promote empathy.

Participants emphasised that closing gender gaps requires collective effort, awareness and deliberate support for one another.

Beyond the discussions, the event featured a range of interactive activities that added excitement to the celebration.

Participants took part in “pick and act” sessions, where some won shopping vouchers.

A cooking competition between staff from the Tema factory, LMICDC and the Dzorwulu branch also drew strong interest. Contestants were given 20 minutes to prepare simple meals, with the Tema factory team emerging as winners and the Dzorwulu branch placing second.

The celebration ended on a lively note with a dance competition involving representatives from the three branches, showcasing teamwork and creativity.