The President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development, Dr. George Agyekum Donkor, holds the view that International Women’s Day does not seek to belittle or erode the importance of men in society nor seek to usurp any established order.
“It is important to note that International Women’s Day does not seek to belittle or erode the importance of men in society, neither does it seek to usurp any established order. Rather, it is to clarify to the world the importance of the development and partnership of men and women to make the world a better place.”
The ECOWAS Bank President further stressed the need to identify perceptions that are inimical to the proper development of women with a view to taking the needed actions to reverse those biases.
According to him this year’s theme, “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”, affords all stakeholders to act rather than pay lip service to the critical value of gender quality at all levels of organisations.
“It is to clarify to the world the importance of the development and partnership of men and women to make the world a better place.”
He called for “gender-equal boardrooms, gender-equal governments, gender-equal workplaces, and gender-sensitive initiatives.”
Dr. George Agyekum Donkor indicated that the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) is making inroads to implement its gender policy to make the aspirations enumerated a reality.
“Let us all do our bit to recognize that the women we celebrate today are partners in our quest to transform ECOWAS communities. A gender-balanced World will bring the best out of humanity for the greater benefit of all.”
“Let us make this International Women’s Day a moment to recall that we have the answers not just for Sustainable Development Goal 5 but for all 17 Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2030 through the advancement of gender equality.”
About International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Significant activity is witnessed worldwide as groups come together to celebrate women’s achievements or rally for women’s equality.
Marked annually on March 8th, International Women’s Day (IWD) is one of the most important days of the year to:
1. celebrate women’s achievements
2. raise awareness about women’s equality lobby for accelerated gender parity to fundraise for female-focused charities
IWD 2022
The campaign theme for International Women’s Day 2022 is #BreakTheBias. Whether deliberate or unconscious, the bias makes it difficult for women to move ahead. Knowing that bias exists isn’t enough. Action is needed to level the playing field.