The National Women’s Committee of the Ghana Mineworkers’ Union of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), in collaboration with the University of Mines and Technology, has engaged members of the Girls in Science and Technology (GIST) basis as a part of efforts to mentor and encourage younger ladies pursuing careers in science.
The initiative sought to attach feminine college students with ladies professionals in the mining trade, providing a platform to share experiences and present steerage on navigating what stays a male-dominated discipline.
The occasion, held to mark International Women’s Day, additionally highlighted the position of the union in selling and defending staff’ rights, notably for girls and younger feminine staff, by advocacy for protected working situations and truthful wages.
Encouraging participation
A Patron of GIST, Ohenewaa Kakra Dankwa, inspired the girls to take full benefit of the engagement and search the assist obtainable to them.
She expressed her delight on the collaboration, noting the significance of sustained partnerships between academia and trade to empower the following technology of feminine professionals.
A panel dialogue that includes feminine practitioners in the mining sector provided sensible insights into profession improvement. The Explosives Manager at Maxam Ghana, Justina Dzah, and a Mining Engineer at Ghana Manganese Company, Ruth Mends, shared their skilled journeys and methods for succeeding in the trade.
The Head of Training, Programmes and Stakeholder Engagement on the GMWU of TUC, Vida Brewu, delivered an exposition on the theme “Rights. Justice. Action for All Women and Girls.”
Challenges and expectations
She highlighted the a number of expectations positioned on ladies and girls, together with attaining excessive tutorial requirements, excelling at work, nurturing households and contributing to nationwide improvement, typically in the face of systemic boundaries.
These, she mentioned, embody entrenched socio-cultural norms tied to home roles, insufficient campus infrastructure reminiscent of poor sanitation amenities for menstrual hygiene, and poorly lit environments that compromise the security of feminine college students.
She additional pointed to restricted illustration, lack of mentorship, sexual harassment, and inadequate tutorial and profession assist as persistent obstacles to women’s progress in analysis and management.
Call to motion
Mrs Brewu urged the scholars to grasp their rights, demand justice and take motion by networking and talking out in opposition to challenges.
She inspired them to advocate for change and take management of their private and skilled improvement.
The Chairperson of the National Women’s Committee of GMWU, Florence E. Nkrumah, described the initiative as well timed and important, reminding contributors that women’s rights are grounded in dignity, equality and equity.
She urged the girls to develop into brokers of change inside their communities and past.
Adding to the union’s perspective, the Second Vice Chairperson of the GMWU, Agnes Agamasu, underscored the significance of profession steerage and institutional assist, advising the scholars to make knowledgeable selections as they pursue alternatives in the mining sector.