The NGO said: “Society recognises that women are an essential and critical power house development and growth of society but throughout history humankind has neglected this essential element for development.”

Mr George Baiden, Country Director of the CCFC addressing some stakeholders and school children in Tamale to mark the Day, observed that society continued to rely on weakened and flawed arrangement that had downplayed the important role women played, leading to the continual degradation of the human race.

He said: “You can see in the painfully high maternal deaths and the unacceptable levels of child morbidity and mortality as well as the increasing lawlessness and poverty in our midst,” which could be attributed to the less attention given to women issues.

Mr Baiden said it was necessary for the world to recognise the importance of women in nation building. “Beyond the recognition and the rhetoric there must be some concrete words and deeds to remove the barriers and help women to move the world forward,” he said.

He said CCFC believed that gaining parity and giving voice to women would help children to develop to attain their full potential to make the world a better place. He said CCFC over the years had worked to address some of the challenges facing women and children.

Mr Baiden said other area of concern was the gender imbalance, adding: “I am certain that working together can bring a change to our world for the benefit of society particularly children.”