‘Work together to implement Affirmative Action Act’

THE Deputy Country Representative of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Ghana, Fiachra McAsey, has urged development partners to form synergies with the government to ensure proper implementation of the Affirmative Action (AA) Law  (Act 1121).

That, he said, was to accelerate efforts to tackle the numerous equality barriers that hindered women, children and other marginalised groups to contribute meaningfully to national development.

He explained that the Act adopted a transformative approach to increase the meaningful participation of women and girls where they were underrepresented.

Mr McAsey made the call at the 2024 Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) Summit and World Children’s Day in Accra.

The two-day summit was to review the ministry’s performance in 2024 and discuss and share strategies for the implementation of the AA Act.

It also gave children the opportunity through the Children’s Parliament to exhibit their talents as part of activities to commemorate this year’s World Children’s Day.

The event was on the theme, “Promoting equality and inclusive development through the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act 2024”.

Mr McAsey stated that gender equality could not be attained if women and children continued to experience abuse, violence and harmful practices.

Applause

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Atwima Nwabiegya South, Emmanuel Agyei Anhwere, who is also the Chairman of the Committee on Employment, Social Welfare and Pensions, lauded the ministry for their relentless efforts to ensure the passage of the AA Bill into an Act noting that the Act was not just a legislative milestone but a testament to the country’s collaborative efforts to fairness, equity and inclusive development.

He also stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to ensure the Act’s success.

“The passage of this Act is crucial to correct the historical imbalance of women marginalised and prevented from contributing to the nation’s development. The success of this Act does not depend solely on its enactment but a shared responsibility to break down stereotypes, challenge discriminatory practices and uphold the principles of equality in every facet of our lives,” he said.

Other partners including the United Nations Population Fund (UNFP), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Abantu for Development, in their solidarity messages, reiterated the need for proper implementation of the Act.

That they said would help achieve Sustainable Development Goal (5); gender equality and empower all women while increasing their participation in the country’s development.

Summit

The Chief Director of the MoGCSP, Afisah Zakaria, indicated that the ministry had made great strides in various areas, such as social protection, education, and health.

“We doubled the amount allocated for Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) beneficiaries, provided support for those affected by famine and drought, and have also rescued victims of child trafficking and domestic violence. We hope to focus on implementing the Act next year,” she said.