Women leaders and advocates have called for greater involvement and mentorship at the 2025 International Women’s Day celebration in Ho, Volta Region.

The event was marked by a strong call for increased women’s participation in leadership, mentorship for young girls, and the urgent implementation of policies to enhance gender equality. It brought together various Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and institutions.

The celebration began with a vibrant float organised by the Department of Gender, which paraded through the principal streets of Ho. Participants carried placards with bold inscriptions advocating for women’s empowerment.

The procession culminated at the forecourt of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, where speeches were delivered, highlighting key challenges and opportunities for women in the region.

In a statement read by Edith Abla Amenuvor, the Volta Regional Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), the progress made in promoting gender equality was acknowledged, but the persistent challenges women still face were emphasised.

"Women remain severely under-represented in decision-making roles in the region. Women, particularly those of reproductive age, face significant challenges due to inadequate childcare facilities and insufficient protection against workplace sexual harassment and other abuses. Gender-based violence remains a pervasive threat to women and girls in the Volta region. Women with disabilities face multiple vulnerabilities, discrimination, and exclusion in many sectors. Adolescent pregnancy disrupts education and career aspirations. The incidence remains high in the region, with an average of 5,000 girls becoming pregnant annually over the past four years," the statement read.

She further stressed that addressing these concerns would mark a transformative step towards achieving gender equality in the region.

At a town hall meeting hosted by NALAG and the Volta Assembly Women’s Caucus, discussions centered on the theme: "Women’s Involvement in Leadership: The Aftermath of the Affirmative Action Act 2024."

The Paramount Queen Mother of the Mafi Traditional Area and Vice President of the Volta Region Queen Mothers Association, Mama Sename III, called for women in leadership positions to actively mentor young girls. "I will use this opportunity to urge women in leadership to mentor the young ones," she said, expressing concern over the lack of proper implementation of the Affirmative Action Act.

Similarly, Martha Adzo Mawufemor, Assembly Member for the Loboli Electoral Area, encouraged more women to engage in local governance, emphasising that their voices are needed in decision-making. "It is now our time as women to participate actively in local governance and politics. Don’t worry about what people will say about you. Just do it right. When you come to the Ho Municipal Assembly, the women are only four out of 29. How can we make decisions when we are so few? We need women on board. We are ready as assemblywomen to help other ladies who would like to join us," Mawufemor said.

Despite the passage of the Affirmative Action Bill, she expressed dissatisfaction with the slow progress in women’s representation in governance. "We need this affirmative action that has been passed to be put to good use so that, as women, we can also benefit from what is happening and from the national cake," she added.

The founder of LoveAid Foundation, Princess Lovia Tetteh, emphasised the need to encourage women’s participation in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). "One thing we have been saying about gender equality, globally, at the national, regional, and decentralised level, is to see the meaningful participation of our women and girls in decision-making and development," Lovia said.

She also noted that gender inclusion should not be limited to politics but should extend to all aspects of national development.

International Women’s Day is observed annually on 8 March worldwide. The United Nations designated the day to honour the economic, political, cultural, and social achievements of women while emphasising the urgency of eliminating barriers to gender equality.