By Michael Foli Jackidy
Ho (V/R), Oct. 8, GNA – Mrs. Thywill Eyra Kpe, the Volta Regional Director of the Department of Gender, has urged Queen Mothers in the Volta Region to use their influence to promote women’s rights, protect girls and advance inclusive development.
She said the transition to a new leadership of the Volta Regional Queen Mothers Association presented an opportunity to renew the commitment of traditional women leaders to addressing challenges affecting women and girls in the region.
Mrs. Kpe made the call at the handing-over and inaugural ceremony of the president and newly elected executives of the Volta Regional Queenmothers Association in Ho on Thursday.
She described Queenmothers as custodians of culture, peacebuilders and influential agents of social change whose voices could strengthen education, healthcare, livelihoods, community cohesion and accountability.
“Development in the Volta Region must include women’s leadership and participation at every level,” she said.
Mrs. Kpe identified gender-based violence (GBV), defilement, child marriage and sexual exploitation as some of the critical issues requiring urgent attention.
She urged Queenmothers to support survivor-centered referral systems and encourage the formal reporting of criminal offences instead of settling such cases privately.
She also called for greater attention to girls’ education, menstrual and reproductive health, positive parenting, women’s access to land and financial resources, as well as protection against discriminatory social norms and online abuse.
On the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121), Mrs. Kpe said the legislation provided an important framework for advancing gender equity and increasing women’s representation in public decision-making.
She said regional figures for 2025 showed that women occupied only 31 of the 458 elected Assembly seats, representing 6.8 per cent, while they held two of the 18 parliamentary seats, representing 11.1 per cent in the region.
She said the figures demonstrated the need for sustained efforts to remove barriers to women’s participation in leadership and governance.
Mrs Kpe urged Queenmothers to lead grassroots sensitisation on the Act, collaborate with the Department of Gender and Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs), and mentor women and girls to aspire to leadership positions.
She tasked the new executives to advocate meaningful participation of women in traditional councils, community committees and local governance structures.
They were also encouraged to strengthen GBV prevention and referral networks, champion the implementation of Act 1121, mentor girls and young women, and build a united and accountable Association.
“Let this administration be remembered for the girls it protects, the women it empowers and the barriers it helps remove,” she said.
Mrs. Kpe assured the new leadership that the Department of Gender remained ready to collaborate with the Association to advance the rights and wellbeing of women and girls in the region.
“When Queen Mothers lead with purpose, communities become stronger and development becomes more inclusive,” she added.
The Regional Director congratulated Mamaga Dr Tsyrawa IV, the President, and the newly elected executives on their assumption of office.
She also commended the outgoing leadership, led by Mama Sename III, for their dedicated service and contribution to the Association.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Benjamin Mensah
Pictures Attached