The School of Agriculture, University of Cape Coast, in partnership with the Women in Poultry Value Chain (WIPVaC) has commemorated this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) at the University of Cape Coast.
Every year, IWD celebrates the contributions of women across various spheres of life. The school used the occasion to celebrate women in the poultry value chain.
Female students of the School of Agriculture were introduced to activities of WIPVaC and also mentored on standing for their rights.
The Vice Dean of the School of Agriculture, Prof. Paul Agu Asare in his welcome address, emphasized the importance of the day and reiterated the vital role women play in ensuring food and nutrition security.
Prof. Julius K. Hagan, the Head of the Department of Animal Science and the coordinator of the partnership between UCC and WIPVaC, encouraged the female students to take advantage of the partnership to build more networks for future job opportunities.
The keynote speaker, Anastasia Asante (Esq), a Legal Officer at the Legal Affairs Office of UCC, who spoke on the theme: “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women – Give to Gain,” emphasized the urgent need to enforce and protect women’s rights.
She noted that the theme promotes collective action and generosity to advance gender equality.
“It promotes a mindset of collaboration, reciprocity, and support, emphasizing that contributing resources, knowledge, mentorship, or time to women’s advancement benefits society as a whole,” she explained.
According to Ms. Asante, it was crucial to dismantle structural barriers, discriminatory laws, and harmful social norms that prevent women and girls from accessing justice and equality.
She said that rights must be actionable, enforceable, and inclusive, ensuring that all women, regardless of background, can fully exercise their legal and social entitlements.
Other participants were Dr. Grace Mensah, Faculty Officer of the School of Agriculture; Dr. Omega, Central Regional Director of Agriculture; Mabel Konadu, the Regional Director of WIAD and other senior members of the School of Agriculture.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC
