By Rachel Kakraba
Chairperson of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Gender, Francisca Oteng Mensah, says Parliament will collaborate with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to fast track processes of passing the Affirmative Action Bill into law. She noted the Bill when passed will accelerate national commitment towards women’s empowerment.
Speaking at a seminar to commemorate International Women’s Day in Accra, Madam Mensah, called for renewed commitment towards women empowerment.
Rachel Kakraba reports that Ghana began its quest for an Affirmative Action Law as far back as 1998, where guidelines on the Law were passed by Cabinet.
However, as of June 2020, the Bill has still not been passed. This is due to the low commitment on the part of stakeholders towards pushing for the passage of the Bill into Law.
The Affirmative Action Bill, will provide a balance of allowing competent women to fill leadership positions.
Madam Mensah said ensuring the Bill is passed into law will secure a better future for women.
”The Ghanaian woman is constantly faced with mirage of challenges, domestic abuse, unfavorable working schedules especially for new mothers, economic inequality, maternal health problems among others. The introduction of the critical legislation in Parliament bordering on women’s rights such as the Affirmative Bill, Spousal Rights Bill and the Intestate Succession Bill will equally assist in securing a better future for women. I invite the eighth parliament to effectively partner with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to FastTrack the passage of this bill into law”.
Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection, Lariba Zuweira Abudu, encouraged women to avail themselves of leadership roles, adding they must be fearless and confident in such pursuits.
”We should include women in the decision making process at our traditional level, our offices, our political level. How many women avail themselves for political leadership in Ghana? It’s difficult to get women to go into Assembly elections without talking about parliamentary elections”.
The event was graced with representation from the European Union, Traditional Authorities and Parliament. There was an exhibition of books, beverages and cultural artifacts.
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