MPs pay tribute to women
Such old and dehumanising practices, they said, needed to be eliminated to enable them participate effectively in the forward march towards development.
The statement by Hajia Boforo was to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day which fell today (March 8).
Since March 2011, the day has been set aside to acknowledge the efforts made by women worldwide towards development.
In 1977, the United Nations adopted the day to celebrate women and recognise their contribution in the field of economics, politics, governance, science as well as other social achievements.
This year’s celebration is on the theme “The gender agenda: Gaining momentum.”
Hajia Boforo said the “gender agenda” was about the elimination of violence against women and girls; access to education by the girl child; elimination of bad cultural practices against women; improved maternal health; economic empowerment and equal representation of women in decision-making structures.
She said a lot of progress had been made in tackling women’s issues, adding that the fight had led to some level of women development, enforcement of their fundamental human rights and gender equality in all areas of human endeavour.
According to her, in this age, women could boast of occupying the highest offices in the corporate world as well as governance.
She mentioned Nkhosazana Dhlamini-Zuma of South Africa, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia; President Joyce Banda of Malawi; Mrs Justice Joyce Bamford-Addo, former Speaker of Parliament and Mrs Justice Georgina Wood, Chief Justice of Ghana, as some of the women who had braced the odds to reach high heights and made women proud.
She, however, lamented over the failure of Ghanaian women to attain the 30 per cent representation in Parliament and said measures needed to be put in place to entice women into Parliament.
Hajia Boforo said although Ghana was making progress towards women’s emancipation, the elimination of violence against women and girls was far beyond reach.
She said recent reports in the media about the killing, maiming and rape of women by their husbands and other relations was a pointer to the fact that more needed to be done.
“I humbly ask that all stakeholders including parents to effectively discharge their responsibilities in safeguarding our young girls and women in our society,” she said.
The member for Tano South, Hannah Louisa Bisiw (NDC), said discrimination and violence against women emanated from the country’s cultural practices.
She said negative practices such as widowhood rites, the banishment of women to witches camps and marital rape needed to be dealt with if Ghana was to be considered a civilised country.
The member for Abirem, Esther Obeng Dapaah (NPP), said in spite of the Domestic Violence Act, some women still suffered violence and sexual assault.
She noted that many of such cases were settled out of court, a situation which made the victims fail to benefit from the law.
According to her, there were many demeaning cultural practices which were not addressed by the law and called for amendments to it to make those demeaning practices an offence.
The member for Anyaa/Sowutuom, Ms Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey (NPP), said “ As we celebrate women we should also celebrate the men who have sought to move the gender agenda forward.
Mr Justice Joe Appiah (NPP , Ablekuma North), said measures needed to be put in place to eliminate violence against women.
Other members who contributed to the statement were Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni (NDC, Kumbungu), Mr Joseph Yieleh Chireh (NDC, Wa West) Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka (NDC, Asawase), Mrs Elizabeth Sackey (NPP, Okaikwei North) and Mrs Benita Sena Okity-Duah (NDC, Ledzokuku).
Story by Mark-Anthony Vinorkor
