Former Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Otiko Afisa Djaba, has stated that the Affirmative Action Gender Equity Bill is a unique opportunity for Ghanaians to rewrite history and use this opportunity to correct all the injustices meted out to women.
She expressed her elation over the passage of the Affirmative Action Gender Equity Bill 2024.
She emphasized that this historic moment is not only significant for women but for everyone in Ghana, as it will advance women’s development and benefit the nation as a whole.
She highlighted that women have long awaited this Bill, which addresses historical gender inequalities by challenging traditional roles that limited women to domestic duties. She noted that with evolving global standards, it is time for Ghana to embrace change and align with its constitutional principles of equality.
She urged a collective effort from all including men, women, children, NGOs, government, Parliament, judiciary, private and public sectors, traditional leaders, and especially the media to support and promote the Bill.
She stressed that the independence achieved by Ghana’s forefathers also included women, and this Bill aims to fortify that inclusion. Pointing out that women constitute nearly 52% of the population, she argued that their inclusion is vital.
She criticized outdated perceptions that women are less capable of leadership, drawing parallels to men who also hold leadership positions.
She cited examples from countries like Tanzania, Germany and the United Kingdom where women have successfully led.
She also called for stricter enforcement of existing laws, noting that Ghana has many laws that are not properly implemented. Madam Djaba emphasized the need for the Gender Equality Committee to be well-represented and integrated into the national financial budget to ensure effective monitoring and support.
Additionally, she advocated for gender-responsive budgeting in both private and public sectors and urged media outlets to include women and persons with disabilities in discussions. She emphasized the importance of having a database for women and girls to leverage their potential when needed.