Accra, March 7, GNA - The Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU) on Friday congratulated women on the occasion of International Women's Day which falls on Saturday saying the theme; "Investing in Women and Girls", is a step in the right direction since they constitute an integral part of society.

A statement signed by Mr Demba Diop, Acting Secretary General of OATUU, said the human resources of women and girls had not been adequately exploited due to inequalities and discrimination, adding that, they must be engaged in all areas of socio-economic endeavours, no matter the cost.

"OATUU recognises the fact that the equal opportunities that lead to active participation of women and men will enhance security, social progress, decent employment, as well as promote human rights and fundamental freedom."

It said investing in women and girls through education and empowerment programmes was crucial in order to achieve an effective gender mainstreaming at all levels as well as attain the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.

"As women have been deprived of possibilities of benefiting from economic growth and globalisation due to inequalities, expenditure on women empowerment should be considered worthwhile and in public interest."

OATUU called for combined and elaborate initiatives at all levels aimed at promoting the advancement of women from the grassroots so as to directly reach vulnerable women and girls.

"These community-based measures must be linked to and supported by macro development to ensure that unemployment, underemployment, feminisation or poverty and gender discrimination are not perpetuated." OATUU also called on all trade unions in Africa to use the occasion to review progress made on gender equality and identify challenges in order to set standards and formulate concrete policies to promote gender equality and empowerment of women in work places.