When Women Speak - International Women's Day

On this International Women’s Day, we want to shed light on a documentary film that speaks to the prowess of 16 Ghanaian women. Ghana would not be the independent country it is today, with the level of women’s rights it has, without the organized efforts, strategies, courage and strength of these women and countless others. These stories represent the larger picture of how integral women were in ensuring freedom, equity and democracy reigned in Ghana during a tumultuous time in its political history. There is no better day to let you know about these women's powerful journeys.

Directed by Aseye Tamakloe and filmed entirely in Ghana by a Ghanaian crew, the film is told in the own words of 16 prominent Ghanaian women who share their coming of age stories in Ghana in the 1960s & 70s. For those who may not know, this is known as the ‘lost decades’ as it was a time when Ghana passed through periods of military, single-party, and multi-party rule. 

From market women being persecuted for perceived hoarding to female journalists being attacked and abused for writing against existing government regimes, these women share key moments in time when things were exceptionally difficult for women in Ghana. However, their drive and determination helped them fight and overcome many hardships and even put some into law as they were integral in the passing of the Intestate Succession Law and are continuous advocates for an Affirmative Action Bill. 

Some of the women featured in the film

This film highlights how important it is to note these and many other Ghanaian women challenge the perception that gender activism is a ‘foreign import’, a concept from the West vs one that has always been a part of women in the country and something they actively fight and mobilize for pre and post independence.

Watching this film is one of the many ways you can support Ghanaian women on International women’s day. Educating yourself on important, untold, stories in Ghana’s history will go a long way in recognizing these women and their roles in Ghana’s nation building. We have attached the full film so that you can watch on YouTube. Congratulations to every single person who worked on this essential project.

Women are integral in all societies. But today, we acknowledge the Ghanaian women who have helped produce the Ghana we see today.

 

*All photos were sourced from whenwomenspeakfilm.com. Bôhten does not own the rights to any of these photos and give all credit the respective owners*