By Rihana Adam,
Accra, Mar. 23, GNA – Amnesty International Ghana (AG), non-governmental organisation, has called for the full implementation of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity 2024) Act.
The Act provides a comprehensive framework to address gender imbalances across all sectors of the society.
Madam Genevieve Parting ton, Country Director (AG),was speaking at the commemoration of 2025 International Women’s Day on the theme, “For All Women’s and Girls: Rights Equality, Empowerment.”
She said, “passing this law is only the beginning, the real test, the true measure of our commitment lies in implementation.”
“The Act must be accompanied by rigorous monitoring, robust accountability mechanisms, clear targets for women’s representation in public office, governance, and decision-making positions and continued advocacy.”
She said the Act would help introduced gender-responsive budgeting across government sectors that would require political parties to ensure progressive achievement of gender equality targets.
She said statistics from the World Economic Forum shows that, “the workforce representation of women worldwide is 42%, and out of that 42%, only 31.7% are in senior leadership roles.”
She said AG would continue to collaborate with civil society organisations to create awareness about the provisions of the law and empower citizens to know their rights, claim them and demand accountability.“
The AG pledges to continue contributing to closing the gender equity gap by holding duty-bearers accountable, expanding the reach of human rights education, and campaign initiatives for equality and non-discrimination, specifically gender and intersectional justice.”
Madam Partington commended government for pushing to achieve the current 30% quota for women’s representation in government positions and also to provide sanitary pads to young girls of school-going age across the country.
“The appointment of the Director General of the Ghana Prisons Service, DDGP 3 Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, and Chief Fire Officer, DCFO Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong, show that the government is listening to our requests for better representation.”
She called on all stakeholders, government agencies, political parties, the private sector, traditional and religious leaders, media, and individual citizens to embrace the Affirmative Action Act.”
Dr. Naa Momo Lartey Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, said “there is the need to acknowledge the many years of advocacy, policy debate, the persistence calls for action that led to the Passed of Affirmative Action Act (Gender Equality) 2024 by the 8th Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana.”
She said the Act was not just a document but a promise to the young girl who dreams of becoming a leader who has been overlooked despite her competence.
She thanked AG for creating the platform that did not only celebrate the country’s progress but also pushing the challenges towards gender equality.
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SOF