Former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings has urged individuals and institutions to take deliberate steps towards bridging the gender gap, stressing the need for immediate action to achieve gender equality.

In a statement marking International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8, 2025, Mrs Agyeman-Rawlings cited the 2024 United Nations Global Gender Gap Report and the World Economic Forum, which estimate that gender parity will only be achieved by the year 2158, 133 years from now.

“This means that women’s progress and development will take roughly five generations to reach full gender parity,” she noted.

She described this year’s IWD theme, “Accelerate Action for Gender Equality,” as timely, pointing out that while women have made progress, the pace of change remains slow.

She expressed confidence that the Affirmative Action Act 2024 would help address long-standing barriers to women’s empowerment in Ghana.

“The Act aims to promote gender equality by tackling systemic challenges that have held women back in our society. It will help fast-track women’s development,” she stated.

Mrs Agyeman-Rawlings urged Ghanaians to take concrete steps in their daily lives to challenge discrimination, question bias, and push for equality.

She also reaffirmed the commitment of her organisation, DWM, to advocating for women’s advancement, adding that gender parity can only be achieved through collective action at both national and global levels.

“Whether in leadership, education, business, or the home, your voice matters, and your dreams are valid,” she said, encouraging women to continue striving for a more inclusive society.

She ended with a call for unity in breaking barriers and creating a world where every woman and girl can thrive.

“Here’s to strong women. May we know them, may we be them, and may we raise them.”

Mrs Agyeman-Rawlings wished all women a happy International Women’s Day, adding, “Ayekoo to all women.”