“Our 21st-Century Budget Should Prioritise Supporting Women, Especially Market Women. I believe this is the right thing to do right now.
In her special edition “Perspectives” featuring Nana Ama MacBrown on Wednesday, November 22nd, 2023 at assumptagh.live.”
“Our 21st century budget should prioritise supporting women, especially market women, who play a crucial role in our economy. The woman’s agenda for the 21st century should focus on implementing policies that promote economic security for women and their families. It is essential to provide support for market women who work tirelessly under the sun, ensuring their income and enabling them to balance work and family responsibilities.”
For decades, children have become more dependent on their parents, particularly their mothers. This suggests a trend where children rely more on their parents for various needs and support.
In today’s world, there has been a significant change in how women view their personal lives and responsibilities. Specifically, women now see themselves as caregivers who are needed by their husbands and children. This implies that women recognize their role in taking care of their families and prioritise fulfilling their needs.
In Ghana, women who have children face specific challenges despite having jobs. These challenges include issues such as expensive or inadequate child care services, a lack of monthly salary, lack of paid family leave, and an ongoing wage gap. These factors make it difficult for women to balance their work and family responsibilities effectively.
Overall, the emphasis involves the role of women as caregivers, while also shedding light on the challenges faced by women in Ghana who juggle work and family obligations.
Mac-Brown
Let’s imagine the impact of a market woman, selling under the hot sun while breastfeeding her baby, and eventually going home with less money if she manages to make any sales.
TSASI
Indeed, it would be a highly challenging circumstance for the market woman to sell her goods under the hot sun while simultaneously breastfeeding her baby, especially considering the possibility of going home with less money at the end.
The main societal problems Ghanaian market women are facing have persisted over time because we have never made an effort to explore new models and solutions that would support the health, wellness, and well-being of these women.
Mac-Brown
However, if we have to prioritise one thing right now, I believe it should be supporting these women to scale up, as they represent the greatest need for our country’s economy. Sadly, not many adjustments are made to accommodate the needs of these market women. As long as our leaders remain ignorant of or resigned to this situation, poverty will persist without change.
Nana Akufu Addo’s administration aims to build a better society and a better Ghana, which is why they prioritise the “1 district 1 factory” initiative. However, in the process of establishing these districts and factories, it is crucial not to overlook the importance of providing market women with a basic monthly income to support them.
TSASI
You could say, “It is crucial that we acknowledge the significance of providing market women with a basic monthly income alongside the ‘1 district 1 factory’ initiative. By doing so, we can ensure a more comprehensive and inclusive approach towards building a better society and a better Ghana under Nana Akufu Addo’s administration.”
Providing market women with a basic monthly income is necessary for several reasons. Firstly, it acknowledges and addresses the economic challenges they face, especially considering factors like unpredictable sales, seasonal fluctuations, and the impact of external conditions on their ability to earn a stable income.
Secondly, it recognizes the valuable contribution of market women to the economy and the overall well-being of the society.
Thirdly, it helps alleviate poverty and financial insecurity among these women, enabling them to meet their basic needs, invest in their businesses, and improve their quality of life. Ultimately, supporting market women with a basic monthly income promotes social justice, gender equality, and economic empowerment, leading to a more inclusive and prosperous society.
Macc-Brown
“As a woman, I understand the immense responsibilities that come with managing a household and raising a family. When the demands of work outside the family are added to this equation, each day becomes a formidable battle against time.
After tirelessly working, these market women must then hurry in a long trotro queue to return home and attend to their children’s needs, prepare meals, and complete household chores.
Considering the multitude of responsibilities that working women shoulder, it’s difficult to believe they ever truly rest, even during sleep. However, I do acknowledge that our minds and bodies stay active when we are busy, and since women tend to be twice as active as men, we often find double the fulfilment and satisfaction in our accomplishments. In contrast, women who spend all their time at home sometimes risk becoming preoccupied with trivial matters and may not experience the satisfaction of broadening their horizons.”
TSASI :
“I agree that juggling work and family responsibilities can be overwhelming for women. It’s important to recognize the efforts and sacrifices they make every day. However, I believe that fulfilment and satisfaction can be achieved in various ways, regardless of whether a woman chooses to work outside the home or focus on her family.”
Certainly! Nichiren Daishonin’s Gosho, which is a collection of letters and writings, covers various aspects of life and offers guidance and insights.
In the context of the challenges faced by women in managing both work and family, there are several principles from Nichiren Daishonin’s teachings that may be relevant. For instance, the concept of “challenging and overcoming obstacles” can resonate with the daily struggles faced by women in balancing their responsibilities.
Additionally, Nichiren Buddhism emphasises the importance of inner transformation and finding true happiness within oneself, regardless of external circumstances. This can be applied to the idea that fulfilment and satisfaction can be achieved by broadening one’s horizons and seeking personal growth, regardless of the specific roles or choices one makes.
Mac-Brown
I’m intrigued by the principles of Nichiren Daishonin’s teachings and would like to delve deeper into the Gosho to gain a better understanding. It seems that his teachings could offer valuable insights and guidance for navigating the challenges faced by women in balancing work and family responsibilities.”
However, one area where our current MPs seem to fall short is in terms of ambition. Many of them appear content to perpetuate the very actions that have contributed to the expansion of poverty and inequality.
TSASI
“It’s disheartening to witness the lack of ambition among our current MPs and their apparent complacency in allowing poverty and inequality to persist. It’s crucial for our elected representatives to actively work towards addressing these pressing issues and implementing meaningful change.”
Among our MPs, those who harness their inner spirit creatively can be considered artists. The shared aspiration for all of us is to transform the act of living into an art form, making it our ultimate goal.
Mac-Brown
You quote emphasises the importance of using one’s inner spirit creatively and making living itself an art form. Similarly, in our 21st-century budget, it is crucial to prioritise supporting women, particularly market women.
By recognizing and addressing the unique challenges they face, we can empower them to express their inner spirit creatively and contribute to the vibrant tapestry of our society. Thank you for the insightful discussion, and if you have any more questions in the future, feel free to invite me,
