As Ghana and the globe mark International Women’s Day, the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), has admonished the government to prioritize the laying of the affirmative bill before parliament.
A statement issued by the civil society organization said it was disappointing that Ghana has failed to put in measures to ensure that more women are appointed to public office.
”It is disappointing to note that close to three decades of the Fourth Republican Constitution, Ghana has been unable to put measures in place to actualize Article 35 (6) which mandates the State to “take appropriate measures to achieve reasonable regional and gender balance in the recruitment and appointment to public offices” despite the immense contribution of women to political life. The implementation of similar progressive policies in international treaties and charters and legal instruments put in place by the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other regional bodies, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Beijing Platform for Action and the Sustainable Development Goals which have all been signed/ratified by Ghana, have regrettably suffered the same fate.”
It added: ”As an important step to overcoming these barriers, CDD-Ghana reiterate calls for government to urgently lay the over a decade old Affirmative Action Bill before Parliament for its review and immediate passage. The passage of the affirmative action bill presents great opportunity for the country to benefit from the contribution of more than half of its population and would significantly promote equality in participation and representation in decision making processes. The Center would also like to use this occasion to remind government that for Ghana to achieve the vision of leaving no one behind in the pursuit of inclusive and sustainable development as propounded in Agenda 2030, more decisive action is needed to ensure inclusive, effective and democratic participation of all citizens. The only means to end the stark realities on the ground with respect to the continued and entrenched gender disparities and inequalities in almost all areas of our national life is to see the realization of Article 35 (6).”
Read the full statement below
By: Rainboowradioonline.com
