SIGA celebrates International Women’s Day
The Management and staff of the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA) commemorated International Women’s Day at the forecourt of the Authority’s office premises recently.
Observed the world over on the 8th of March every year, International Women’s Day is a special day set aside to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, and to call for action on accelerating gender parity. The theme for this year’s celebration is: “Breaking the Bias”.
The Director-General of SIGA, Ambassador Edward Boateng in his welcome address celebrated women, acknowledging the crucial role they play in our everyday lives. He expressed his delight about the fact that several key positions within SIGA’s organisational structure are currently occupied by women, a testament to the strong commitment of the authority on issues concerning women. Ambassador Boateng went further to recognize the many key contributions the SIGA Divas (the authority’s all-women group) have made towards empowering and building the capacity of women within the authority.
The special guest of honour for the occasion was Ms. Farida Nana Efua Bedwei, a Ghanaian software engineer and entrepreneur who despite the adversity of being diagnosed with cerebral palsy, has established herself as one of the brightest African minds in tech.
Speaking on this year’s theme for International Women’s Day: “Breaking the Bias”, she emphasised the fact that society’s biases transcend gender alone, but can also be based on ethnicity, social class, and disability, among others.
In an interactive session with members of staff, Ms. Bedwei shared the inspiring story of how she keeps breaking the bias as a physically disabled woman. She again entreated women to be fearless and innovative, so they can be dominant forces of positive change in the societies they find themselves in.
The function also featured poetry recitals, and a candlelight vigil in loving memory of departed colleague Ms. Kate Baffoe, who was the secretary of the Authority’s Finance Division.
