Leverage on Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Bill to remedy age-long power imbalances and discrimination against women and girls

ActionAid Ghana proudly applauds the Parliament of Ghana for taking steps to pass the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Bill 2024. With the passage of this important legislation, women and girls will be empowered in every aspect of our society and gender equality and equity will be achieved. As a social justice organisation, we think that the recently passed Bill gives interested parties the opportunity to take advantage of its strengths to redistribute power and address the systemic discrimination and power disparities that have long plagued women and girls in our society.

The recent losses suffered by most female candidates in the two major political parties' internal primaries served as evidence that the state must take action to increase participation of women in the electoral process as candidates.  Therefore, it is a comfort that the government is required by Section 16 (1) of the Bill to ensure progressive equitable representation of women in public office, governance and decision-making positions. 

John Nkaw, Country Director, ActionAid Ghana says AAG has been advocating for a national framework to address gender inequality in our country since 1998 and this timely legislation will go a long way towards eradicating the age-long gender inequality and help in addressing power imbalances in the country stemming from historical discrimination against women and persistent patriarchal socio-cultural systems and norms. It also means that citizens and CSOs, while celebrating this achievement, have a responsibility to study the content of the bill and determine how we can monitor its effective implementation and practice

For decades, women and girls in Ghana have borne the brunt of gender-based discrimination and power imbalances. From limited access to education and healthcare to economic marginalisation and political underrepresentation, the challenges are manifold. Although AAG plays a key role in supporting government to address inclusive development and the distribution of gender responsive public services, many challenges do persist. Hence, the Affirmative Action Bill represents a critical step towards rectifying these disparities.

Despite the overwhelming appreciation for the passage of the Bill, we believe that its true impact hinges on the swift and comprehensive implementation of the provisions. ActionAid Ghana urges the President to assent to the Bill expeditiously, and progress to ensure that the provisions of the Law are translated into concrete actions that can dismantle the systemic barriers impeding women's progress. The time for action is now, and the President's immediate approval is therefore crucial in this process. We cannot afford to delay in our pursuit of gender equality.

The enforcement of the Affirmative Action Bill will not only catalyse economic empowerment for women but also foster an environment where they can contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development. Empowered women are more likely to invest in their families' health, education, and well-being, thereby driving sustainable development and ushering in a new era of social change.

Call to Action

Under these extraordinary circumstances, ActionAid Ghana respectfully calls on the government, civil society, private sector, and all Ghanaians to support fully implementing the Affirmative Action Bill. This includes:

• Government: While thanking Parliament for passage of the Affirmative Action Bill, we kindly encourage our President to assent to the Bill to make it Law in the quickest way possible. Additionally, we call on the government to follow up with bold steps that commence the process of resourcing and establishing mechanisms for assessing and promoting the effective implementation of the Affirmative Action Law.
• Civil Society: All CSOs, youth movements and Ghanaian citizens need to study the Law to enhance our understanding, promote advocacy and awareness campaigns to ensure that women, men, girls, youth, opinion leaders are informed about their rights under the new law. and how they can support and monitor the implementation process. Understanding the context and implications of the Law is imperative to determining how we can call for voluntary compliance, and explore the next policy demands and reforms that maybe required for the effective implementation of the Law 
• Private Sector: Assure and encourage members and peers to adhere, adopt and promote gender-inclusive policies around the Affoirmative Action Law (especially after it has been assented to) and practices within their businesses/organisations. 
• Communities: Ghanaians communities need to further advocate and take actions to promote actions that challenge and change harmful cultural norms and practices perpetuating gender inequality, support the affirmative Action and effectively contribute towards the unhindered implementation of the Law. 

ActionAid takes this opportunity to urge the President to assent to the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Bill, 202. The bill is crucial in protecting vulnerable individuals, especially women, from the harmful and often deadly accusations of witchcraft. By assenting to both bills, the President will take a monumental step towards safeguarding the rights and dignity of all women and girls in Ghana as enshrined in Article 27of the Constitution, 1992.

ActionAid Ghana remains steadfast in our mission to champion social justice, particularly to advance the rights of women and girls. We pledge our continued support in the fight against gender-based discrimination and power imbalances. 

Additionally, we wish to congratulate our partners the Affirmative Bill Coalition, pressure groups, activists, and like-minded CSOs who joined forces in amplifying our demand for this bill. Your hard work and resilience are empathic, echoing what our Country Strategy Paper VII stands for ‘active citizenship for social justice’. Together, we can achieve more for a just, feminist Ghana, offering equitable opportunities.