India High Commission, WHO, RCAPI celebrate women’s health and empowerment

By Sandra Agyeiwaa OTOO

The High Commission of India, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) in Ghana and the Rotary Club of Accra Premier International (RCAPI), held an event in Accra to celebrate women as part of the International Women’s Day celebration.

The event, dubbed ‘Stronger Her, Healthier Future’, was designed to honour women’s health, empowerment and contributions to society. With a series of engaging activities – including a wellness walk, health bazaar, donation drives and games, the event sought to highlight the importance of supporting women in both their personal and professional lives.

The Indian Ambassador to Ghana – Manish Gupta, delivering the keynote address, highlighted the significance of International Women’s Day.

He said this year’s celebration was particularly poignant as it marked the 30th anniversary of the Beijing declaration, a pivotal international agreement that laid the foundation for legislative actions aimed at promoting gender equality. The ambassador reflected on the transformative impact of the declaration and how it has led to lasting change around the world.

“The day indeed is very special for all of us and especially for the women who are joining us over here today. We are privileged that in the High Commission, this time we are joining it in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Accra Premier International and the World Health Organisation in Ghana. This year is also very pivotal occasion because we are celebrating the three decades of Beijing declaration,” he stated.

“That was the first major initiative at the international level that transformed a lot of the things in the legislative action front. It’s a day to celebrate the achievements, the strength, the creativity and the contributions of our women to make this world a better, happier place. And as they say, a woman is a full circle,” he added.

Turning to India’s own strides in women’s empowerment, the ambassador spoke of the country’s efforts to build a strong framework for gender equality through political and socio-economic reforms.

“In India, the entire framework for gender equality is predicated on two pillars . One is the political and second is the socio-economic empowerment of women. We were probably one of the very few countries that at the time of independence accorded universal suffrage for women,” Mr. Gupta mentioned.

Mr. Gupta revealed India’s groundbreaking decision 30 years ago to reserve one-third of local council seats for women, resulting in nearly half of all representatives today, with similar reforms now extended to parliament.

“We did a very path-making transition three decades ago when we reserved one-third of our seats in the local and city councils for women. And the outcomes have been outstanding. Today, we have nearly half of women representatives in all the local bodies. And taking those progressive reforms further in India, our Parliament has now legislated it,” he said.

“That one-third of our seats in the state and the Federal Parliament will be reserved for women. This is a work in progress and soon we will be able to reach that milestone also. Side by side, hand in hand, this has gone with the efforts of the government for ensuring health and nutrition, education and skills, digital and financial empowerment of women. And the results have been spectacular,” he added.

He celebrated the growing presence of women in higher education, with nearly half of India’s international students now being women. Furthermore, he highlighted women’s increasing participation in fields like defense and aviation.

“Today in India, nearly half of internationals pursuing higher education are women. And even in the STEM disciplines, we have 40 percent enrolment from women. And women are not behind in the areas which were supposedly very unconventional for the women, especially in sectors like defence. Women are now at the forefront in India,” he said.

However, Mr. Gupta also acknowledged the ongoing challenges women face, saying: “The challenges still remain. We need to change the social mindset. There is still deeply ingrained pockets of social and gender prejudices that exist not only in India, but around the world. And this is something we need to work together to eliminate. Let me extend my warm wishes to each and every one today, to all the women out here”!

“Keep shining, keep inspiring us. You are a strength. You are the ones who do a lot of contributions. You do whether at the family level, the societal level, at the workplace or for the larger interests of the nation. So let me wish everyone a very happy, happy International Women’s Day!” he concluded.

The District Governor for Rotary International District 9104, Florence Maame Hagan, emphasised the vital connection between women’s health and overall societal prosperity during the celebration of International Women’s Day, urging continued investment in women’s well-being for a brighter, more equitable future.

“This year’s theme, ‘Stronger Her, Healthier Future’, is a powerful reminder that when we invest in women’s health and wealth, we create a stronger, more prosperous society for all. Health is the foundation of empowerment. A strong, healthy woman is better equipped to pursue her dreams, support her family and contribute meaningfully to her community,” she said.

According to her, “many women face barriers to healthcare, nutrition and mental well-being. It’s our responsibility as leaders, advocates and change-makers to break these barriers and create a future where every woman has access to the care and support she deserves. Today, as we talk together in solidarity, let us remember that wellness is not just about physical fitness; it is about mental resilience, access to healthcare and the society that values and uplifts women in all aspects of life.”

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