By James Amoh Junior

Accra, March 7, GNA – As the world marks International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 under the theme ‘Accelerate Action’, the call for gender equality and economic empowerment is more pressing than ever.

According to the World Economic Forum, full gender parity may not be achieved until 2158 if progress remains at its current pace.

This stark reality emphasizes the need to push beyond equality and actively embrace gender equity, ensuring that women receive the targeted support and resources they need to thrive.

At the Paga border in northern Ghana, women are not just surviving; they are striving to create a better future for themselves and their families despite the odds, embodying the very essence of this year’s theme.

Women at the crossroads of trade, caregiving The Paga border is a bustling hub of economic activity, where women form the backbone of cross-border trade. From sunrise to sunset, these women navigate harsh conditions to sustain their families.

Among them is Adiza, a mother of three, who expertly balances her child on her back while maneuvering a cart filled with goods.

Her vibrant blue dress, adorned with yellow floral prints, stands out amid the dusty roads. With unwavering determination, she paves her way around the boarder stretch, ensuring that her children have a better future.

Her presence is a reminder that women often juggle multiple roles — caregivers, traders, entrepreneurs, and household managers — all in pursuit of economic stability.

Nearby, Ajara and Munira, two other traders, push a makeshift cart with worn-out tires, loaded with tubers of yam and other foodstuffs. The weight of their burden is evident as their faces are marked with a blend of exhaustion and determination, yet they push forward, knowing that every sale means another meal on the table.

Even striking is a young girl in a flowing white dress patterned with blue and red hearts who pulls the cart while the two other women push, perhaps envisioning a future shaped by the resilience she sees in the women around her.

Like many other women at the border, they operate in an informal economy where financial support, fair trade policies, and infrastructural development are often lacking.

Women make up a significant portion of Ghana’s informal economy, contributing immensely to trade, agriculture, and entrepreneurship. According to Ghana’s Beijing +25 Report, Ghana has made significant progress in gender equality and women’s empowerment, with 46.4% of businesses being female-owned.

However, many of these businesses remain small-scale, as access to credit and business training remains a challenge for women, particularly in rural areas like Paga.

The government has taken steps, such as introducing microfinance programmes and the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) initiative, but there is still a long road ahead.

Many women traders at the Paga border face gender biases, from being sidelined in financial opportunities to experiencing harassment at border checkpoints.

Lack of infrastructure, such as proper storage facilities and transport systems, further limits their ability to expand their businesses. Yet, despite these barriers, they continue to push forward, making critical contributions to Ghana’s economy.

Despite the crucial role they play in sustaining the local economy, these women face systemic barriers, including limited access to capital, gender biases, and lack of security.

The 2025 International Women’s Day theme, ‘Accelerate Action’, calls for urgent measures to bridge these gaps and create a more inclusive economic landscape.

Local NGOs and women’s rights activists continue to advocate for policies that empower these traders. Microfinance initiatives, vocational training, and cooperative groups are slowly creating pathways for women to gain financial independence.

However, as the world pushes for accelerated action, more needs to be done to ensure that women like Adiza, Munira and Ajara are not left behind.

Ajara expresses her frustration with the challenges she faces daily, “We work from morning till night, but the money we make is barely enough. Transport costs are high. If we had better support, our businesses would grow,” she laments.

Her story echoes the struggles of many women, who despite their resilience, are hindered by systemic barriers that limit their economic potential.

The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection has been implementing policies aimed at addressing gender disparities, including the National Gender Policy and Affirmative Action Bill.

These policies seek to close the gender gap in economic participation by providing more opportunities for women, particularly in trade and small-scale industries.

However, effective implementation is needed to translate policy into tangible benefits for women at the grassroots level.

Ghana’s Beijing +25 Report emphasizes the need for gender-responsive budgeting, targeted investments in women-led enterprises, and better representation of women in economic decision-making processes.

International Women’s Day is not just about celebration — it is a reminder that progress requires deliberate effort. At Paga, these women do not need to be convinced of their strength; they exhibit it every day.

What they require is support — access to resources, fair policies, and protection against economic vulnerabilities.

As Ghana joins the global community in marking this significant day, policymakers, organizations, and individuals must take meaningful steps toward closing the gender gap.

Empowering women at the grassroots level accelerates economic growth and creates sustainable communities.

If Ghana is to truly achieve gender parity, a collective effort is required from all sectors—government, private institutions, and civil society.

Expanding financial inclusion is essential, with government-backed microfinance programmes needing to be expanded and made more accessible to rural women.

Strengthening gender-based protections is equally critical, ensuring safer working conditions for women traders, particularly in border markets where harassment and exploitation are common.

Additionally, enhancing infrastructure through investments in market storage facilities, transportation, and digital payment systems can provide women traders with the tools to grow their businesses and increase efficiency.

Finally, education and training must be prioritized to equip women with financial literacy and business management skills, empowering them to scale up their enterprises and contribute meaningfully to economic development.

This International Women’s Day, let us honour the resilience of the women at the Paga border and beyond by moving from words to action — accelerating change to ensure a future where every woman thrives.

GNA