Ghana’s Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has called for enhanced implementation of Affirmative Action Policies in Africa.
She made the call while delivering closing remarks at a side event organised by the Pan-African Parliament, AUDA-NEPAD, and the African Women Leaders Network(AWLN) at the ongoing 70th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) in New York.
Acknowledging the encouraging progress by African states through the adoption of legislative reforms, gender-responsive policies and institutional mechanisms to increase women’s representation in governance, she posited that enforcement is key.
She therefore recommended strengthening legal and institutional frameworks to ensure women’s equal participation in political and public life as well as addressing structural, social, and economic barriers that hinder women’s entry and success in leadership positions, including political financing disparities, discriminatory societal norms, and violence against women in politics.
She also tabled a proposal to invest in the future generation of women leaders by expanding opportunities for mentorship, education, and leadership development for young women and girls across the continent.
The Ghanaian Minister reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to the course while outlining some achievements of the government.
“These frameworks, including others, reflect Ghana’s conviction that transformative change requires both strong legal instruments and effective policy implementation. They also underscore the importance of collaboration among government institutions, parliament, civil society, traditional authorities and development partners to address structural inequalities, empower women and girls, promote equal participation in governance as well as economic development to ensure that national planning processes are responsive to the needs of both women and men.”
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opemsuo.com