Gender Minister commits to Affirmative Action Bill’s implementation

By Bright Philip Donkor

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has expressed its enthusiasm for Parliament’s passage of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024, and assured to wholeheartedly commit to its implementation.

“We are thrilled that Ghana has made such a significant stride towards achieving gender equity across all sectors,” the sector Minister, Dakoa Newman, said in statement released yesterday.

The statement noted that this milestone reflected the Government of Ghana’s commitment and the collective effort of everyone who supported this vital legislation.

Commendation

The Minister also commended the President, Parliament and the Affirmative Action Bill Coalition, along with all individuals and organisations that championed this cause.

It reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the effective implementation of the Act to create a more inclusive and equitable society for all Ghanaians.

The statement said following the passage of the Act by Parliament, the Ministry expected prompt action by the President to ensure the Act’s swift implementation.

Passage

On Tuesday, July 30, 2024, Parliament passed the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024, during its thirty-second sitting of the third meeting in the eighth session.

Originally drafted in 2011 and introduced in Parliament in 2016, this landmark legislation was finally enacted by the Eighth Parliament, marking a significant step forward in Ghana’s pursuit of gender equity and women’s empowerment.

The Act, which received Cabinet approval on September 27, 2023, was developed through an extensive consultative process involving both state and non-state actors. The Minister presented the Bill to Parliament on June 14, 2024.

Aims

The Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024, aims to address and rectify social, cultural, economic, and gender imbalances that persist due to entrenched patriarchal norms, despite formal legal equality between men and women. The Act is designed to promote gender equity by setting targets for achieving gender balance in both the public and private sectors.

The legislation outlines specific timelines and targets to close gender gaps. From 2024 to 2026, all sectors are required to achieve a minimum of 30% representation of women, identified as the marginalized gender. This is a progressive measure aimed at achieving gender parity by 2030.