Alliance Française Accra and the High Commission of Canada held an event to commemorate International Women’s Day, aimed at initiating relevant conversations around women’s empowerment and gender equality.
The event, held at the Alliance Française Accra seminar room, featured a lineup of activities ranging from keynote speeches to a panel discussion. Keynote addresses were delivered by the Ambassador of France to Ghana, H.E. Diarra Dime Labille, the Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, H.E. Myriam Montrat, and the Senior Programme Officer – Resourcing at the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), Dr. Rose Buabeng.
The discussions focused on the progress made in the pursuit of gender equality and women’s empowerment, as well as the ability of women to take up leadership roles across the globe.
The Ambassador of France to Ghana, H.E. Diarra Dime Labille, described the partnership between Alliance Française Accra and the High Commission of Canada to Ghana as a natural one, citing their shared commitment to expanding opportunities for women to take up leadership positions across the Sub-Saharan region.
“As you may know France adapted a Feminist Foreign Policy in 2019, this means we have decide to make gender equality a priority in every area of our international action.” she stated.
She further noted that global actions such as peace and security, development and health cannot be effectively implemented without the active participation of empowered women who play critical roles in these areas.
The Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, H.E. Myriam Montrat, shared similar sentiments as she shed light on the robust policies implemented by the Canadian government to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women worldwide.
Touching on the theme of International Women’s Day, ‘Give To Gain,’ she said, “The Theme for the year is Give to Gain and it resonates strongly with Canada as it calls for a global commitment to protect women’s and girls’ rights to ensure justice for all women and girls and to amplify their voices and actions.”
Senior Programme Officer – Resourcing at AWDF, Dr. Rose Buabeng, acknowledged the efforts of key actors who have helped position Ghana as one of the leading contributors to the broader African Feminist Movement.
She highlighted a number of achievements women across the African continent have made over the years.
“These efforts have led to important gains. We have seen progress in women’s political participation all across Africa, greater recognition of gender-based violence as a public issue and stronger organizing around economic justice, bodily autonomy and social accountability.”
The event also featured a panel discussion led by Professor Takyiwaa Manuh, Professor Eunice Mensah, Aseye Tamakloe, Mo Tahir, and Professor Akosua Adomako Ampofo, who shared perspectives on gender equality and women’s empowerment.
The seminar further introduced a creative dimension with the screening of the film “When Women Speak” by Aseye Tamakloe, which revisits Ghana’s post-colonial history by amplifying the voices of 16 women who shaped the nation during some of its most turbulent years.
Directed by Tamakloe, the film challenges the long-standing notion that gender activism in Africa is a modern “Western import,” demonstrating instead that Ghanaian women have long been at the forefront of social and political mobilization.
