Women Deliver in 2019

The Power of Us: President Akufo-Addo and Dr. Alaa Murabit Share the Stage

Gender equality benefits everyone; it contributes to economic growth, global peace and security, and is even illustrated as one most effective solutions to climate change.  

These topics were explored at this year’s largest conference on gender equality: Women Deliver. This conference was held in Vancouver Canada from 3-6 June 2019 with the theme “Power. Progress. Change.”

Economic and political power were some of the topics explored during these three days. The conference consisted of presentations, workshops, film screening and various competitions. More than 6,000 political leaders, academics, civil society leaders, journalists and activists attended Women Deliver this year to drive, shape and accelerate progress on SDG 5 – Gender Equality.

Two such leaders – SDG Advocates Co-Chair President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and SDG Advocate Dr. Alaa Murabit – spoke at the opening plenary of Women Deliver and presented calls to action on gender equality.

The theme of the opening plenary of Women Deliver 2019 was The Power of Us. Panelists from left to right as seen on stage: President Sahle-Work Zewde, Farwiza Farhan, Natasha Mwansa, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, President Uhuru Kenyatta, Dr. Alaa Murabit, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Seen on screen: Dr. Alaa Murabit and President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Dr. Murabit emphasised that there are millions of women who are transforming the conditions of their communities, who know the solutions to the issues their communities face and who are contributing significantly toward achieving the SDGs. She highlighted that what is needed to create greater impact is the amplification of their voices and leadership. She reminded the thousands of people gathered that doors remain closed to so many of these women. They are left out of so many crucial decisions on the future of communities and countries. The responsibility lies on people who are in positions of power to include women and listen to their experiences in order to shape policies effectively and create lasting sustainable development.

“It’s fundamental that we begin to understand and explain how much systems have been shaped to ensure that women do not get to be in positions of power.”

- Dr. Alaa Murabit

The President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, joined Dr. Murabit on stage, advocating for women’s inclusion in decision-making positions, saying “it is decisions that are going to make the difference.” He noted that Ghana’s population is 52% female and that this statistic should mean something in a fair society; that his Cabinet is roughly 30% percent women and it is not enough. The President has made concerted efforts over his term to appoint women to local government positions in Ghana. He highlighted the importance of people, specifically women, seeing the capacity of women to change their own circumstances. He closed with the hope that by the time he leaves office, he will have “shown people that a significant change has come over the Ghanaian landscape as far as ensuring equality in our society is concerned.”

“The most important thing is to sit communities around the table whereby the decisions that you make are enforced and become the norms and regulations by which the society lives.”

- President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo

For more information on the conference, visit https://wd2019.org/