The Trades Union Congress (TUC) Ghana has called for stronger action to advance gender equality and protect the rights of women in the workplace as Ghana joined the global community to mark International Women’s Day (IWD) Today.

The Congress, in a press statement issued on Sunday and signed by its General Secretary, Joshua Ansah, said IWD should serve not only as a moment of recognition but also as a platform for concrete action towards justice, equality and empowerment for women and girls.

The TUC commended women working across the country for their resilience, courage and immense contributions to national development.

It said women continued to play critical roles across all sectors of the economy, from agriculture and industry to the service sector.

“Ayekoo to all women, from factory floors to boardrooms, from farms to markets, from classrooms and hospitals to the corridors of power, women remain the backbone of our nation’s progress and development,” it said.

The statement said rights without justice remained unfulfilled promises, while justice without action was incomplete.

It said that gender equality was a fundamental human right that required equal opportunities, access to education and deliberate empowerment of women and girls at all levels of society.

The Statement reiterated the critical role of trade unions in championing decent work, fair wages and safe workplaces, and pledged to strengthen women’s leadership and promote gender-responsive collective bargaining.

It also reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that workplaces remained safe, equitable and free from discrimination and violence.

While commending government for the passage of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024, the TUC stressed that sustained political will and effective implementation would be key to translating the law into tangible benefits for women across all sectors of the economy.

The Congress called on government to accelerate the ratification of key international labour standards, including the ILO Convention 190 on Violence and Harassment and the ILO Convention 183 on Maternity Protection, to strengthen protections for women in the world of work.

It further urged authorities to enhance labour inspection and enforcement mechanisms to ensure existing gender equality laws were fully implemented.

The TUC also called on employers to adopt gender-responsive and family-friendly workplace policies to promote equity, productivity and business sustainability.

Trade unions, the statement said, must equally lead by example by increasing women’s representation in leadership positions, mainstreaming gender-responsive collective bargaining and mentoring young women trade unionists.

The Congress urged all Ghanaians to recognise that women’s issues were national issues.

“When women thrive, Ghana thrives,” the statement said.

The TUC reaffirmed its commitment to advancing rights, securing justice and taking meaningful action for women and girls as the country commemorates International Women’s Day 2026.