(Accra, 11 March 2026) – The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), through its Women, Youth, Peace and Security Institute (WYPSI), commemorated International Women’s Day 2026 with students, government representatives, development partners, and civil society actors.
Organised under the theme “Investing in Gender Equality for a More Inclusive and Safer Ghana for All,” the event aimed to promote awareness of gender equality and encourage young people to actively contribute to building inclusive and peaceful societies. More than 200 students from Teshie Presbyterian Senior High School participated in the programme.
Delivering the welcome remarks on behalf of the Commandant of KAIPTC, Ms. Horname Noagbesenu, Director for Policy Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (PPMED) and Acting Director of WYPSI, emphasized that International Women’s Day serves not only as an opportunity to celebrate progress made in advancing women’s rights but also to reflect on the persistent challenges facing women and girls.
She noted that gender equality is both a moral obligation and a strategic necessity for achieving peace, security, and sustainable development.
Ms. Noagbesenu highlighted that although women in Ghana continue to contribute significantly to sectors such as governance, healthcare, education, peacebuilding, and community leadership, challenges such as gender-based violence, economic inequality, and limited access to leadership opportunities still hinder the full participation of women and girls.
She stressed that while policy frameworks are important, lasting change requires shifts in mindsets, behaviours, and generational attitudes, particularly among young people.
The Centre also reaffirmed its commitment to advancing gender equality through research, advocacy, policy engagement, and capacity building. By engaging students in the commemoration, KAIPTC sought to raise awareness on gender issues, challenge harmful stereotypes, and inspire young people to become advocates for equality and inclusion within their schools and communities.
Hon. Dorcas Affo-Toffey, Deputy Minister for Transport who represent the Minister, stated that investing in gender equality is not only a matter of fairness but also an investment in the progress, stability, and prosperity of Ghana.
She explained that when societies provide equal opportunities for women and girls through education, protection, and support, the entire nation benefits through stronger families, healthier communities, and improved economic productivity.
Hon. Affo-Toffey noted that despite progress made in empowering women, several barriers continue to limit their participation in national development. These include unequal economic opportunities, gender discrimination, underrepresentation in leadership, and harmful cultural practices. She therefore called for increased awareness, dialogue, and collective action to challenge cultural norms that undermine the dignity and rights of women and girls.
She further reaffirmed the Government of Ghana’s commitment to advancing gender equality through frameworks such as the National Gender Policy of Ghana and the Affirmative Action (Gender Equality) Act, while commending institutions such as KAIPTC and its partners for integrating gender perspectives into their programmes and initiatives.
Also speaking at the event, Ms. Efua Kwaambia Turkson, representing the Chairperson of the African Women Leaders Network, noted that although Ghana has made notable strides toward gender equality, many women and girls still face barriers including gender-based violence, economic inequality, and the marginalization of women with disabilities.
She emphasized that gender equality should not be viewed as a cost but rather an investment that strengthens families, communities, economies, and democratic institutions.
Ms. Turkson stressed that achieving gender equality requires collaboration among government, institutions, communities, and young people, as well as the active participation of both men and women in challenging discrimination and promoting inclusive development.
As part of the programme, participants engaged in an interactive panel discussion on women and girls’ empowerment, where speakers discussed leadership, equal opportunities, and the importance of supporting women’s participation in peacebuilding and national development. The session also provided students with the opportunity to ask questions, share perspectives, and gain deeper insights into the role they can play in promoting gender equality in their communities.
The commemoration concluded with a renewed call for individuals and institutions to take concrete actions toward advancing gender equality, in line with the campaign message “Give to Gain.” Participants were encouraged to invest their time, knowledge, and resources toward building a more inclusive, peaceful, and secure society for all.
The Centre also acknowledged the support of key partner organizations that contributed to the success of the event, including the Ministry of Transport (Ghana), the African Women Leaders Network, Women, Media and Change, Affluence Global Limited, and MX24 TV, whose collaboration helped make the 2026 International Women’s Day commemoration impactful.