2023 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY THEME: DigitALL INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY FOR GENDER EQUALITY

The role of Digitalisation, Technology and Innovation as tools for Development of Empowerment, Equal Rights and Equity have attracted the continuous attention of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 and other initiatives over the years. Strategic Partnerships have been developed with donors, the private sector, civil societies and working groups and task forces have been established to enhance interagency collaboration throughout the United Nations.

International Women’s Day being one of the avenues for the creation of awareness of ?Empowerment and Equal Rights and in the ?Government, Political Heralds of Affairs, Strategic?Advisors, Broadcast Journalism who champion the affairs of ?Children and Women’s ?Issues in Ghana.

International Women’s Day since history has grown from Labour Movement to become a recognized body instituted by United Nations. (“UN”).

Annually, a theme is couched to mirror the International Women’s Day to set a tone for Gender Equality and Equity. After its inception in 1908, it saw about 15,000 women marching through New York City demanding the succeeding:

??Equity in the Increment of Salaries

??Equality in Reduced working hours leading to resultant effects of work life balance

??Equality in Human Rights to Vote

Clara Zetkin is known to have planted the seed of Empowerment and Equity and setting it aside as an international day. She was a Communist Activist and an Advocate for Women’s Rights as well, who conceived the idea in 1910 at an International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen which saw over 100 women, from over 17 countries who all agreed to her suggestion concertedly.

United Nations formalized the celebration of the day in 1975.The first Theme endorsed by the United Nations (in 1996) was “Celebrating the Past, Planning for the Future.”

International Women’s Day has become globally recognized till today in celebration of the strategic position of women in society, in Government, Politics, Economics, Empowerment, Equality and Equity in the Workplace, Society and in Families as a whole through strikes and protests. The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day 2023 is ‘DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality’.

In Ghana there are Women Activists in Professional Dispensations whose achievements cannot be undermined. They are Honourable Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey the current Minister of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Ghana, Oheneyere Gifty Anti a broadcast Journalist, and Host of the Standpoint, Ghana, Patricia Obo - Nai the CEO of Vodafone Ghana, Dr. (Mrs.) Irene Stella Agyenim-Boateng the Deputy, Chief Executive Officer, Volta River Authority, Lucy Quist the Managing Director at Morgan Stanley serving as Global Head of Firm Resilience. She is also the author of the book. “The Bold New Normal”.

Digital Innovation is the application of implementing modern digital technology to solve business problems by Optimizing Processes, improving Customer Experiences, and Delivering New Business Models. Examples of digital innovation are IoT, AI, Big Data among others. Digital technology enables immense amounts of information to be compressed on small storage devices that can be easily preserved and transported. Digitalisation also quickens data transmission speeds.

Digital Technology has transformed how people communicate, learn and work including women who as a result of Digitalization and Innovativeness, are able to strategically provide insights and be aligned to balancescorecards,the Mission and Vision of international organisations and in strategic government positions, be leads in organisations and strategic advisors to CEO’s . This has enabled women across the globe to effectively and efficiently manage businesses, work and family lives. Gender Empowerment, Equality and Equity require Women’s transformative shifts, integrated approaches, and new solutions in handling work life balance in all spheres of their lives.

A United Nations World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) was planned in two phases. The first phase, The Geneva Summit in December 2003, aimed at developing political will and to establish the foundations for an Informational Society for all sundry. Whiles the second phase in November 2005 in Tunis, discussed Creation of the Internet Governance Forum and a novel, lightweight, multistakeholder governance structure for the Internet.

DIMENSIONS OF DIGITALISATION, TECHNOLOGICAL AND INNOVATIONAL AGENDA OF WOMEN IN EMPOWERMENT, EQUALITYOF RIGHTS AND GENDER EQUITY

Analysis of Gender issues in Digitalisation, technological and Innovational agenda in women are socially institionalised and thus have different impacts on women and men. Women’s capacity to exploit the potential of the new digitalisation, technological and innovational tools for empowerment is constrained in different ways.

Some constraints are linked to factors that affect both men and women including technical infrastructure, connection costs, computer literacy and language skills. However, most women are disadvantaged because most cases are exacerbated by gender-based determinants which particularly disadvantage women .Most poor women in developing countries are further removed from the information age than the men whose poverty they share. Women need digitalization, technological and innovational agenda in equality, equity and empowerment for the same reasons as men in determining access to information on the importance of their productive, reproductive and community roles and to obtain additional resources. Access to digitalisation, technology and innovation can empower women and men to gain a stronger voice in their communities, and in their Government including the global level. Information Computer Technology also offers women flexibility in time and space and can be of particular value to women who face social discrimination, including many women in developing countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone among many others. Women make up only 22% of artificial intelligence workers globally. A global analysis of 133 AI systems across industries found that 44.2% demonstrate gender bias. A survey of women journalists from 125 countries found that 73% had suffered online violence in the course of their work.

From the earliest days of computing to the present age of virtual reality and artificial intelligence, women have made untold contributions to the digital world in which we increasingly live in. Their accomplishments have been against all odds, in a field that has historically neither welcomed nor appreciated them.

Today, a persistent gender gap in digital access keeps women from unlocking technology’s full potential. Their under representation in STEM education and careers remain a major barrier to their participation in technology design and governance. And the pervasive threat of online gender-based violence coupled with a lack of legal recourse too often forces them out of the digital spaces they occupy in.

?Furthermore, in addition to physical access to the technology and the ability to utilize it, access also refers to the ability to make use of the information and the resources provided.

The factors identified as constraints to access and use, i.e. poverty, illiteracy, including computer illiteracy, and language barriers are particularly acute for women.

Mobile phones allow women to access markets and improve saving behaviours. Reduced costs and improved access to mobile phones have enabled women to gain and exchange information for their own benefit and for the benefit of their families and the wider society. Smart phones offer women more privacy and confidentiality in accessing the internet. For a woman trying to be an entrepreneur in a patriarchal society, this may represent an important source of independence.

There are successful women in business fields in Ghana, such as Honourable Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Oheneyere Gifty Anti, Patricia Obo- Nai, Dr. (Mrs.) Irene Stella Agyenim-Boateng, Lucy Quist among many others, that are excelling in their fields of specialities however, there is one outstanding person, who through strategic plans has been able to foresee the need to implement strategies and initiatives that tie in to the commemoration of International Women’s Day for 2023.

A prominent woman in the Government of Ghana advocating Gender Empowerment in Digitalisation, Technology, Innovation, Equality and Equity and in Ghana and the globe at large, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration. She is called Honourable Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF HONOURABLE MADAM SHIRLEY AYORKOR BOTCHWEY

Honourable Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey who is the current Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration for Ghana was appointed by the President of Ghana, Nana Akuffo-Addo in her current designated post to serve. She served as a Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Information and as well as the Trade and Industry ministries. She also served as Minister of State at the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing under Ex-President John Agyekum Kufour as well .She is also an active member of the New Patriotic Party (N.P.P).Honourable Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey is a ranking member for the Parliamentary Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and subsequently, the Appointments, Defense and Interior Committees of Parliament.

She doubled as a member of the ECOWAS Parliament from 2013-2017, Honourable worked with her colleagues to assist the Community Parliament in its Advisory role in considering matters concerning the region particularly on issues relating to fundamental human rights and freedom, while making recommendations to institutions and organs of ECOWAS.The Honourable Minister also served as a Vice Chair on the NEPAD & APAM Committees.

Presently, she sits on the Communications as well as the Gender and Children Committees of Parliament where she works with colleague members, to look into matters relating to Communications generally, as well as examine all gender and children focused issues to ensure their inclusion in all appropriate legislation on the list presented to parliament for approval since 21 January 2021.

THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF HONOURABLE MADAM SHIRLEY AYORKOR BOTCHWEY IN THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND REGIONAL INTEGRATION

Honourable Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey in collaboration with the United Nations in?contribution to the quota towards achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)5 in fulfillment of?the Gender Equality and Empowering all women and girls through ICT have in collaboration with Huawei Technologies, Ghana and United Nations initiated the succeeding:

A list of distinguishing initiatives implemented in collaboration with United Nations and Huawei Technologies Ghana, was instituted by Honourable Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration with Digitalisation, Technology, Innovation, Equality and Equity in their empowerment of the women and children and the people of Ghana as a whole.

Huawei Technologies Ghana in Partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration launched a digital skills training for female students residents of the Ga Central Municipality. The initiative added to the plethora of activities Huawei Ghana had undertaken as part of its Women in Technology initiation, which sought to actively bridge the gender gap in ICT. According to the Gender Gap Report, women represent around 20% of the STEM workforce in developed countries with far lower number in developing countries as men outnumber women in most ICT and STEM fields.

A Significant impact of Technology on Societies and Economies by promoting ICT education and motivating more girls to consider taking up careers in STEM education while contributing a quota towards the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 and in achieving Gender Equality and Empowering all Women and Girls through ICT.

A one week digital workshop for ladies in the Municipality, was planned by Huawei Technologies Ghana. A series of exciting capacity building activities for all participants beneficiaries. The aim was to build a basic skill required for APP Development and Computer Programming. The workshop focused on offering basic coding training to Senior High School Ladies. Coding has almost become a basic skill in the digital age, and is thus an important part of this workshop.

Through her leadership, the Government instituted some austerity measures to ease pressures on the economy in 2022.She is a leading member on the team that worked with the International Community to build a resilient economy to benefit Ghanaians.

She had oversight responsibilities in the implementation of policies that guaranteed constant Supply of Petroleum Products despite the Global Supply Challenges.

She was a catalyst in the collaboration among Local and Foreign Stakeholders to ensure Rapid Recovery, Stability and Resilience of the Economy to revamp its machinery of operations. Innovative approaches implemented saw the provision of solutions to the Global Economic meltdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine Conflict.

Honourable Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey made a clarion call at the African Leaders Symposium in Cape Coast on December 2, 2019 during the forum for Women Vice Chancellors and made an appeal for the need to provide an enabling environment for the continent’s women, children and young people to flourish and reach their full potentials.

?The lack of women in Senior /Leadership positions in all spheres of human endeavours, especially in Science and Technology across Africa indicates a statistics of 70% males whiles the female population accounting for less than 30% in number. These figures represent all Public and Private Universities across the country including the University of Ghana. The introduction of equal opportunity policies in higher education continue to be faced with numerous impediments in reaching senior positions in academia. This has been attributed to endemic sociocultural and systemic barriers that many female academicians face in universities across the world.

Nevertheless, in spite of the challenges that continue to confront many women across universities in Africa and the globe, various studies have also shown that female academicians have learnt over the years to take these challenges in their stride and find ingenious ways to overcoming them.

Honourable Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has made significant contributions to the achievements of Digitalisation, Technology, Innovation, Equality, Equity and Empowerment of Women and Children in Ghana and the world at large. Her immense contribution aligns with International Women’s Day for 2023 Theme: “DigitALL Innovation and Technology Equality for Women” in the realisation of United Nations goal on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5.

In celebration of the International Women’s Day, it is imperative to honour and celebrate women like Honourable Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey who in recognition of her hardworks, implemented these initiatives ahead of the celebration of the 2023 theme for International Women’s Day.Ayekoo!!! to Honourable Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey for her immense contribution to the empowerment of women and children including the Women’s Wing of the New Patriotic Party (N.P.P),and the Nation as a whole.

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SUMMARY

A gender-responsive approach to innovation means going beyond acknowledging and raising awareness of the existing gender gaps and making sure that women and mens’ concerns and experiences are equally integrated in the design of innovative solutions and that due consideration is given to the gender norms, roles and responsibilities.

Without equal access to technology and the internet, girls and women will not be able to equally participate in technology in our ever evolving digital societies. Holding back girls and women in this area affects every aspect of their lives, including their ability to speak out and campaign on issues that affect them.

Moreover, if girls and women are not involved in creating digital tools and online content, they may aggravate existing inequalities. The gender technology gap also negatively impacts countries’ potentials for economic growth and development. If 600 million more women are connected to the Internet in 3 years, this would translate to a rise in global GDP of between US $13 billion and US $18billion.

On 8 March 2023, we will be calling on Governments, Gender Activists and the Private Sectors alike to power in their efforts to make the Digital World safer, more Inclusive and more Equitable. Facing a multiplicity of global crises, we have a chance to create a better future—not just for women and girls, but for all humanity and all life on Earth. Join us in the fight for Gender Empowerment, Equality of right, and Equity of Digitalisation, Technological advancement and Innovativeness for a brighter future.

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ENDNOTES

?????i.???????United Nations information & Communication Technologies (UN ICT) Task Force, 2002

????ii.???????United Nations, 2003

???iii.???????United Nations Commission on Science and Technology Gender Working Group

??iv.???????United Nations Making Innovation & Technology work for women

???v.???????Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women through ICT

??vi.???????Wikipedia –Autobiography of Honourable Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey

?vii.???????B&FT Online

?viii.???????Daily Guide Network

??ix.???????Ghana News Online.com.gh

???x.???????Karlan, Morten and Zinman 2012.

??xi.???????Nancy Hafkin, 2002

?xii.???????Natasha Primo, 2003

?xiii.???????Nancy Hafkin and Nancy Taggart, 2001