Parliament Approves Affirmative Action Bill; Awaits Accent by President
In a historic move, the Affirmative Action Bill for Gender Equity 2024 was unanimously passed by Parliament yesterday, ending a 13-year journey of deliberations and revisions. This bill, now awaiting Presidential assent, aims to significantly boost the representation of women in governance, public life, and decision-making positions, thereby addressing long-standing gender imbalances in both public and private sectors, as mandated by Clause 4 of Article 17 of the 1992 Constitution.
The bill, which comprises 34 clauses and six schedules, calls for an equal 50/50 representation of women and men in governance and all state decision-making processes. Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Darkoa Newmann, who moved the motion, emphasized that while the bill’s passage is a major milestone, more efforts are needed to ensure true gender equity. “Don’t just celebrate; implement the vision we’ve created for the country. Commit to constitutional reforms to liberate more of our women to support the development of mother Ghana,” she stated.
The bill’s objective aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aiming for a progressive increase in women’s participation in public life to at least 30% by 2030. It seeks to address the marginalization of women in public and economic life in Ghana, ensuring compliance with international human rights obligations. Gender advocates argue that gender equality not only promotes social justice but also enhances economic growth and resilience.
The bill’s passage was significantly bolstered by the efforts of the Affirmative Action Bill Coalition, a group of dedicated gender advocates. Since Monday, coalition members had been present in Parliament as the bill underwent its final stages of consideration. Dr. Rose Mensah Kutin, Executive Director of ABANTU for Development and a key figure in the coalition, expressed profound gratitude to Sheila Minkah-Premo, whose vision and legal expertise were instrumental in this achievement. “Generations of women and girls will acknowledge your contributions,” Dr. Kutin remarked.
Charity Binka, another coalition member, celebrated the momentous occasion, stating, “Congratulations to the women of Ghana. The 2011 journey has finally reached a successful end.” The Convenor of the AA Bill Coalition, Sheila Minkah-Premo, echoed this sentiment, expressing her joy and pride in being part of such a historic achievement.
Other coalition members also shared their elation, with one young feminist expressing pride in the collective effort that led to this landmark legislation.
Read More: Jamaican Dancehall Star, Vybz Kartel Now a Free Man After 13 years in prison
