Women in WASH court female students
The Network of Professional Women in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WiWASH) has marked this year’s International Women’s Day with the students of Accra Girls Senior High School, with a call on young women to embrace opportunities in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector.
The forum, organised in collaboration with the Accra Girls Old Students Association (AGOSA), was on the theme: Accelerating Action through Guidance.
The event brought together hundreds of students, old students and staff of the Ghana Water Ltd (GWL) and members of WiWASH.
Rationale
The Chief Manager, Low Income Consumer Support Department of GWL, Faustina Boachie, who is also the Ghana President of WiWASH, underscored the importance of career planning and women’s leadership in male-dominated industries.
She encouraged students to consider careers in the WASH sector, emphasising its far-reaching impact on public health, infrastructure and sustainability.
“The water sector is not just about pipes and tanks. It is about innovation, sustainability, policymaking and social impact,” Ms Boachie said.
To seek a career in WASH, she advised the students to explore educational pathways in subjects such as science and geography and seek internships and hands-on opportunities in the sector.
Second cycle
Speaking on the theme: “Accelerate Action: The role of second cycle schools,” the Headmistress of Accra Girls Secondary School, Gifty Andoh, urged educators, students and stakeholders to commit to fostering inclusive learning environments that empower young women.
The theme, she said, “challenges us to push beyond boundaries, to strive for greater inclusivity and to empower our girls to become agents of change.”
“It is our responsibility to create an environment that fosters equality, encourages excellence and empowers our girls to take their place in society with confidence,” she added.
Mrs Andoh said second-cycle schools must adopt several key initiatives such as empowerment programmes and mentorship opportunities, encourage STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education, build students’ confidence through public speaking and establish safe and supportive spaces.
Allies
The National AGOSA President, Professor Adelaide Katsner, highlighted the importance of male allies in the fight for gender equality, saying, “Let us get our men to collaborate with us, support us and stand by us.”
She challenged stakeholders to push for policies and initiatives that would fast-track gender parity and encouraged the students to look up to mentors to enable them to realise their goals.
Prof. Katsner celebrated women who have made great strides, including the first female Vice-President, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.
