Nana Konadu Steps Out

AS THOUSANDS JOIN 31ST DECEMBER WOMEN’S MOVEMENT TO CELEBRATE THE CENTENARY OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, former First Lady of the Republic of Ghana and President of the 31st DWM, the largest feminist organization on the African continent has stepped out, calling on women to act boldly in bridging the gap between them and their male counterparts in all spheres.

Speaking at a splendid inaugural ceremony of the Tema West branch of the Movement as part of the global celebration to observe the 100th Anniversary of the International Women’s Day on March 8th, she made reference to the United Nation’s theme for commemoration of the event. “Equal access to education, training and science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women”, and lamented that since the world began observing the Day a centenary ago, it was yet to achieve its goal of the total liberation of women. “This is an indictment on human society,” she added.

Nana observed that though the global pursuit for peace and justice has brought about an urgent need to uphold and respect the fundamental rights of all persons irrespective of gender, race, tribe, etc, she was perturbed that women’s issues which go a long way to affect children and a nation as whole are the least addressed by governments, especially those in Africa and most developing and under-developed countries.

As a visionary and consummate advocate for the liberation, emancipation and development of women, Nana Konadu has established an unparalleled rapport with women, especially the down-trodden across Ghana and is in touch with prominent feminist leaders on multiple platforms at international conferences to push through the agenda of women’s equality.

Nana is passionate about the needs of women and marginalized youth and children, making sure that they have the tools to make their boldest dreams come true. This is seen in her initiatives, which she has helped to translate into action through the 31st DWM the Movement in Ghana, such as the creation of various income-generating projects and the establishment of numerous basic education centres across the country. She has also encouraged women who have the ability to hold political positions to pursue that goal without fear of being intimidated.

The former First Lady, who has personally suffered political persecution by politicians in the previous administration, is currently the hot choice of members and foot-soldiers of the ruling National Democratic Congress, who are encouraging her to file to contest for the presidential slot in the party’s forthcoming congress.

On a broader note, Nana Konadu has been exceptionally instrumental in campaigning for women to gather courage to be part of political decisions in order to address the gender disparities within the constraints of our male-dominated politics that has so far relegated women to the background. To her, emancipation for women is liberation for humanity.

Suffice it to say that the former First Lady has chalked significant achievements since joining mainstream politics. She is remembered among other things for her remarkable contributions that led to the enactment of the Interstate Succession Law, PNDC Law 111 that protects widows and their children from the families of their deceased husbands.

2011 year marks the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day.

The day was commemorated for the first time on 19 March 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland, following its establishment during the Socialist International meeting the prior year. More than one million women and men attended rallies on that first commemoration.

In 1975, during International Women's Year, the United Nations began celebrating 8 March as International Women's Day. Two years later, in December 1977, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national traditions. The Day is traditionally marked with a message from the Secretary General.

The 31st DWM celebration of the anniversary was packed with other activities including health care programme by H Home Health Care Ltd that was in attendance with its K8 multi-Function machine for measuring of Blood pressure, Heart rate, (Body mass index BMI), etc.

Other speakers at event were Madam Peace Aryee from U.K, Nii Lashibi Mantse, ...

There were also cultural display and drama by pupils of the St James International School who put on displays to portray some of the abuses women suffer that relegate them to the background.

By THE GHANAIAN DEMOCRAT DESK