The National Women’s Committee of the Ghana Mineworkers’ Union (GMWU) has marked this year’s International Women’s Day by engaging female students pursuing careers in science and technology through a mentorship and dialogue session in Tarkwa.

The initiative, organised in collaboration with the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), brought together members of the Girls in Science and Technology (GIST) programme and women professionals in the mining sector to share experiences and guidance on building careers in the male-dominated industry.

The programme aimed to expose students to career opportunities in the mining sector and to highlight the union's role in promoting and protecting workers’ rights, particularly those of women and young female workers.

Associate Professor Ohenewaa Kakra Dankwa, Patron of GIST, encouraged the students to take full advantage of the engagement and seek mentorship from experienced professionals.

She expressed optimism about the collaboration, noting that partnerships between academia and industry organisations such as the Ghana Mineworkers’ Union are vital in nurturing the next generation of female professionals.

A panel discussion featuring women working in the mining industry formed a key part of the event. Explosives Manager at Maxam Ghana, Engineer Justina Dzah, and Mining Engineer at Ghana Manganese Company, Engineer Ruth Mends, shared insights from their professional journeys and discussed how women can navigate challenges within the sector.

Head of Training, Programmes and Stakeholder Engagement at GMWU, Mrs Vida Brewu, also delivered a presentation on the theme “Rights. Justice. Action for All Women and Girls.”

She highlighted the multiple expectations placed on women and girls, from excelling academically to meeting workplace demands and contributing to national development, while often facing systemic barriers.

According to her, challenges such as entrenched socio-cultural expectations tied to gender roles, inadequate campus facilities for menstrual hygiene, and poorly lit environments that compromise safety continue to hinder the progress of girls in education.

Mrs Brewu further noted that limited representation, lack of mentorship, sexual harassment, and insufficient academic and career support remain obstacles for many young women pursuing careers in science and research.

She therefore encouraged the students to understand their rights, build strong networks, and speak out against injustice.

“Girls must rise to their rights, advocate for change and take action to shape their own futures,” she urged.

Chairperson of the National Women’s Committee of GMWU, Mrs Florence E. Nkrumah, also encouraged the students to champion gender equality and become agents of change within their communities.

She reminded them that women’s rights are human rights, rooted in dignity, fairness, and equal opportunity.

Second Vice Chairperson of the Ghana Mineworkers’ Union, Ms Agnes Agamasu, also advised the students to seek proper career guidance as they prepare to enter the job market, stressing the importance of making informed decisions that will help them build sustainable careers.

The engagement formed part of activities by the union to promote gender inclusion in Ghana’s mining industry while encouraging more young women to pursue careers in science, engineering and technology.