International Women’s Day - Gender Ministry calls for dismantling of structural barriers against women
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has marked this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) with a call on all stakeholders to actively support women and girls.
The Minister, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, who made the call in Accra last Tuesday, called on all to actively create platforms for equitable access to resources and opportunities, while dismantling structural barriers that denied women and girls equal treatment, protection and economic participation.
She further called on the media to shape narratives that challenged gender stereotypes and amplify women’s voices in support of the national gender equality agenda.
The day was used to launch the National Gender Policy 2025–2034, which aims to mainstream gender equality across all sectors, including education, health, employment, governance, agriculture, infrastructure, digital transformation and economic planning.
Event
The minister was speaking at a national conference to commemorate the IWD and launch of the National Gender Policy (2035-2024) on the theme: “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls,” and was held in collaboration with UNICEF and UNFPA.
International Women's Day is celebrated every March 8, commemorating women's fight for equality and liberation along with the women's rights movement
The theme for International Women's Day 2026 is: "Give to Gain", a call to help forge gender equality through abundant giving.
Action
Dr Lartey called on Members of Parliament to exercise strong oversight and ensure adequate resource allocation for gender equality commitment.
She said the ministry would work with security institutions to ensure survivor-centred, responsive and protective justice systems.
She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening systems that amplified women’s voices in decision-making, upheld their fundamental human rights and ensured equal access to justice without discrimination.
Commitment
The UN Resident Coordinator, Zia Choudhury, reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to supporting Ghana at national and decentralised levels.
He pledged continued collaboration with parliament, civil society, traditional authorities and the private sector to advance human rights, strengthen justice systems and promote inclusive development.
The Chairperson of the Women’s Caucus in Parliament, Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe, in a speech read on her behalf, assured participants that the caucus stood fully committed to advancing the objectives of the new policy.
The Chair, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Gender, Children and Social Welfare, Helen Adjoa Ntoso, also assured the ministry and the people of their readiness to provide the necessary support through effective oversight, advocacy for adequate budgetary allocations, and the promotion of cross-sector collaboration.
