The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has this week organised a two-day training programme for implementing partners of its Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE) programme.
The focus of the programme is on gender parity at the work place to curb all sorts of discrimination that could potentially drag the success and growth of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).
The training is aimed at educating social partners, opening up the space, and making implementing partners of SCORE understand the issues that underline gender equality.
In addition to the social issues being tackled, the training is also looking at the economic aspect at the work place to encourage the formulation of good policies to regulate how issues of gender equality is considered to ensure that there is resultant productivity at the work place.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the programme held at the Hill View Hotel at Teiman, ILO Certified Trainer on Gender, Anita Wiafe-Asinor emphasized that the aim of the training is to increase awareness of gender equality in the workplace by making a case for both male and female.
She said her outfit through the training is trying to champion the cause to get across to stakeholders that the benefits and value of gender equality in the workplace is enormous and hence must be embraced.
“The ILOs agenda is to champion the gender equality and bring awareness insight to organizations to understand the benefit of proactively practicing gender equality in the workplace.
“I cannot keep emphasizing the benefits and importance for companies in Ghana to begin to embrace gender equality. Gender equality is not pushing any gender out, and it’s not trying to take over anybody’s job, women are not saying put us here. We are just saying let us create an environment for all. Let’s be an inclusive organization that will not discriminate also against ethnic groups,” Anita Wiafe-Asinor shared.
The ILO Certified Trainer on Gender said organisations that adopt gender equality policies do not only stand the chance of building a very good brand reputation but will also become a diversified organisation with massive benefits.
On his part, Samuel Asiedu who is the National Project coordinator of the ILO SCORE programme indicated that his outfit wants a national approach to tackle the issue of gender equality at the work place.
According to him, men and women should have equal opportunities at the work place and enjoy fair benefits with no discrimination whatsoever.
“We are encouraging that there should be a national discussion that will lead to enterprises developing policies that will create equal platform for both men and women. It is not for the benefit of the women. It is for the benefit of that place, it is for the company because ultimately you are going to get the best of both men and women,” Samuel Asiedu stressed.
The ILO Score training programme on gender parity at the work place is being financed by SECO and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD).
The training had participation from the ministries, enterprises, development partners, NGOs, as well as international organizations.
