Ghanaian retains CEDAW seat
Ghana’s nominee to serve on the Advisory Board of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Ms Hilary Amesika Gbedemah, has been elected.
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In a keenly contested election, characterised by intense lobbying by countries for their nominees, Ms Gbedemah won and became one of the 11 members to replace panel members whose term are due to expire on December 31, 2016.
The election was held at the 19th meeting of the state parties to the convention at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
All the persons who contested the elections were nominated by their countries, and they were voted for by all the 189 state parties to the convention.
Other state parties whose nominees won and would serve with Ms Gbedemah on the panel for the next four years are France, Norway, The Bahamas, Lebanon, Lithuana, Philippines, Nigeria, Nepal, China and Mauritania.
Independent experts
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women is composed of 23 independent experts who are persons of high moral standing and competence in the field covered by the convention.
Ghana was canvassing for the re-election of Ms Hilary Gbedemah, who is already a panel member, but whose term will end on December 31, this year.
With her re-election, Ms Gbedemah will serve another term of four years.
The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Nana Oye Lithur, who led a four-member delegation to support Ghana’s nominee, said, “Mrs Gbedemah has made Ghana proud.”
Gender activists
Nana Oye said Ms Gbedemah was nominated by the Ghana Government due to her experience, competence, skills and passion for gender equality.
She described her as an astute and well-qualified gender consultant, activist and lawyer, who has acquitted herself well at the national and international level in advocating and ensuring gender equality.
“Ms Gbedemah has over 25 years’ experience, and has been a leading women’s rights advocate at the national level. She also worked extensively with communities in the Volta Region for over a decade to protect and realise women’s rights,” she stated.
The minister said during her first term in the CEDAW committee, Mrs Gbedemah performed very well and was appointed alternate follow-up rapporteur, among other positions.
“Due to her sterling performance in the first term, we were sure she would sail through and be re-elected for a second term,” Nana Oye stated.