‘Women’s voices must be heard in decision making’

Women have been urged to ensure that their voices are heard in decision-making processes for development.

The Dean of Students of the Akrofi-Christaller Institute (ACI), Reverend Dr Ernestina Afriyie, who said this, observed that women were lagging behind as a result of socially and religiously held perceptions by society.

“Such myths give the impression that a woman is not as human as the man and because of this, many women spend their energies trying to show that they are just as human as men. I don’t think there is the need for that,” she said.

Rev. Afriyie said this at the opening session of the Faith to Action Women’s Conference at Abokobi in Accra last Thursday.

The conference

The three-day conference was organised by the Presbyterian Inter-faith Research and Resource Centre in collaboration with the International Interfaith Women’s Network for Peace and Development (IIWNPD).

Dubbed: “Women, faith and nation building,” the conference aimed at reflecting on the ways in which multi-religious cooperation could promote nation building.
It brought together Christian, Muslim and Traditional women leaders for an inter-religious dialogue while inspiring and empowering them to transform their religious faiths into action for the peace and development of society.

Advocacy groups

Rev. Afriyie said there was the need for society to recognise the role of women when development agendas were being  implemented in the country.

In that light, she urged women to form advocacy groups to ensure that their rights were not infringed upon.

“Where there are acts that militate against peace and unity in the society, women must actively stand against them and let their voices be heard,” Rev. Afriyie added.

Role of religion

A board member of the Presbyterian Inter faith Research and Resource Centre, Rev. Professor Philip Laryea, said religion influenced society and nation building.

He expressed the hope that the programme would empower the participants to serve as useful resource for effective nation building and also promote positive inter-faith relations.