A former Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Dr Otiko Afisa Djaba, has advocated for women's empowerment in society to enable them to reach their full potential and contribute to the country's development.

Speaking in a yet-to-be-released episode of GhanaWeb TV’s Election Desk, Dr Afisa Djaba criticised how systems, including patriarchy, have stereotyped women and restricted their participation and achievements, arguing that this is unfair to women.

“Ghana has not been fair to the women in this country and patriarchy is the number one because we believe that it’s a man’s world. We live in a male-dominated society which has informed everything that we have done as a society, which is unacceptable and wrong. It’s how we were brought up but when you are brought up in a certain way and it doesn’t inure to your benefit then you need to change so patriarchy is one area.”

According to her, systems, customs, and traditions that do not support, benefit or promote women’s development need to be changed.

“Our customs and traditions have not helped. It’s related to the patriarchy where we believe that traditions say ‘we must marry by a certain age by 16’ and all that, the law has changed those things. Female genital mutilation, all the violence against women, these are barriers that stop women from fulfilling their full potential.

“The fact that women and girls did not go to school early, you’re just supposed to get married and do the house chores, so education. And then poverty, if you are not working how are you going to get money to empower yourself so poverty is another barrier. Lack of opportunity to be in the public space,” she said.

Dr Otiko Djaba advised individuals to shift their mindset away from outdated customs and perceptions about women and to embrace the powerful impact women can have on the country.

The full interview will air on GhanaWeb TV at 11am on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.



MAG/ ADG