By Rihana Adam
Accra, March 16, GNA – The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has called for decisive and systemic action to advance rights, justice and opportunities for women and girls across Ghana.
Madam Mercy Larbi, the Deputy Commissioner of CHRAJ,delivering the keynote address at the Law Students’ Union International Women’s Day conference, said gender equality must be treated as a fundamental human right and a national development priority rather than merely a “women’s issue”.
The celebration, held on the global theme: “Rights, Justice, Action for All Women and Girls,” should move beyond symbolic observance and focus on dismantling structural barriers that perpetuated discrimination, violence and marginalisation, she said.
Madam Larbi grounded her speech in international human-rights frameworks, noting that states had a duty to protect and promote women’s rights under instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
She said Ghana’s legal and policy frameworks, including the Affirmative Action Act, 2024 and the recently launched National Gender Policy, were important steps towards achieving gender equality but required strong implementation to bring about meaningful change.
The Deputy Commissioner pointed to persistent challenges confronting women, including limited access to education and healthcare, economic exclusion, harmful cultural practices and underrepresentation in leadership and decision-making.
She observed that women currently occupied about 15 per cent of parliamentary seats in Ghana and stressed the need for sustained efforts to close the representation gap.
Madam Larbi also advocated survivor-centred justice systems that thoroughly investigated cases of abuse, held perpetrators accountable and provided victims with medical, legal and psychosocial support.
Mr David Dramani, President of the Law Students Union (LSU), Kings University College, in his welcome address, said the celebration of International Women’s Day provided an opportunity to recognise the achievements and resilience of women while reaffirming the need to educate and empower them to take leadership roles in society.
He said the Faculty of Law was committed to nurturing future leaders who would contribute to national development through education and professional excellence.
Quoting renowned Ghanaian scholar James Emman Kwegyir Aggrey, he said: “If you educate a man, you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman, you educate a nation.”
He added that empowering women through education would strengthen the foundations of society and promote inclusive development.
Ms. Cecilia Adzo Azasoo Enyonam, Vice President of the LSU, said the day served as a moment to celebrate the strength, achievements and contributions of women across the world.
She explained the colours used for the celebration; purple, white, green and gold, which symbolised justice, dignity, hope and the achievements of women, reflecting the long-standing struggle for equality and women’s rights.
Ms Enyonam urged participants to continue to support and empower women and girls to realise their full potential.
The event formed part of activities by the Law Students Union to mark International Women’s Day and to promote dialogue on advancing gender equality and justice in Ghana.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe