The Women’s Commission of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) SRC has launched its annual women’s week celebration themed, ‘Woman, Own Your Space’.

The event took place at the forecourt of GIJ’s Ringway Campus in Osu on Monday, October 3, 2022.

Delivering a keynote address at the launch, the SRC Women’s Commissioner, Khadijah Leticia Aikins, encouraged women to make use of every opportunity they come across to become agents of change in their societies.

“In this age and time when opportunities are gradually opening up for women, we need women who will grab these opportunities and run with them.

“We need women who will enter these rooms and make themselves so relevant that replacing them isn’t an option,” she said.

Meanwhile, she urged government and relevant stakeholders to scrap the luxury tax on sanitary pads to help hygienic conditions among ladies, especially those who struggle to afford the products.

Miss Khadijah Aikins questioned how the country could attain its goal of maintaining hygiene among females if the prices of sanitary pads, for instance, are expensive.

“Today, I add my voice and the voices of the entire GIJ female students’ community to the numerous voices fighting for the exemption of taxes on sanitary pads. How can a nation preach menstrual hygiene when the average prices of sanitary pads are almost equivalent to the minimum wage rate in our country?

“How can we as a country preach menstrual hygiene when the person you are preaching can’t afford a three-square meal let alone a sanitary pad?” she quizzed.

A former secretary to the Commission, Caleb Asante Annor, delivered the opening remarks at the launch which was attended by some officials of school.

Below is the outline of the celebration:

• Monday, October 3 – Week Launch
• Tuesday, October 4 – Debate
• Wednesday, October 5 – Cook for Her
• Thursday, October 6 – Digital training
• Friday, October 7 – Pink conversation by the fire side
• Saturday, October 8 – Seminar
• Sunday, October 30 – Miss Communicator Finale