ActionAid Ghana has commended Parliament for passing the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Bill 2024.
The organisation believes that the legislation will empower women and girls across society and help achieve gender equality and equity.
As a social justice organisation, ActionAid Ghana views the bill as a critical tool to redistribute power and address systemic discrimination and power disparities that have long affected women and girls.
Speaking in Tamale at the Transformative Action on Gender Equality (TAGE) Stakeholder Engagement on the promotion of intersectoral and legal support to combat violence against women in Ghana, John Nkaw, Country Director of ActionAid Ghana, emphasised the need for a swift and comprehensive implementation of the provisions in the Bill.
“We urge the President to assent to the Bill expeditiously and ensure that its provisions are translated into concrete actions that can dismantle the systemic barriers impeding women’s progress.”
“The time for action is now, and the President’s immediate approval is crucial in this process. We cannot afford to delay in our pursuit of gender equality,” Nkaw stated.
The enforcement of the Affirmative Action Bill is expected to catalyse economic empowerment for women and foster an environment where they can contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development.
Empowered women are more likely to invest in their families’ health, education, and well-being, driving sustainable development and ushering in a new era of social change.
Nkaw further called for the passage of the bill criminalising witchcraft accusations to ensure justice for vulnerable women.
“No woman, or vulnerable aged woman, should lose her life due to being accused of witchcraft,” he said, referring to the tragic case of Akua Denteh, who was murdered following such accusations.
He described these situations as a “very low point” for the country.
The Country Director of ActionAid Ghana also congratulated the Affirmative Bill Coalition, pressure groups, activists, and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) for their efforts in advocating for the bill.
“Your hard work and resilience are empathic, echoing what our Country Strategy Paper VII stands for active citizenship for social justice,” he noted.
He added that ActionAid Ghana remains steadfast in its mission to champion social justice and advance the rights of women and girls.
Nkaw called for continued support to address power imbalances in gender relations.
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