Ghana has finally joined African countries like South Africa and Rwanda who are already in the lead with respect to gender equality in governance through affirmative action bills.

On Tuesday, July 30, 2024, lawmakers in Ghana unanimously passed the Affirmative Action Bill, now known as the Gender Equity Bill 2024, ending a process that started in 1998 to create an equitable society and also address social, political, and economic gender imbalances that emanates from historical discrimination of women and patriarchal socio-cultural norms and practices, per Clause 4 of Article 17 of the 1992 Constitution.

The law will come into effect once President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who has also expressed support for the bill, signs it.

Since the process began in Ghana, Civil Society Organizations including ABANTU for Development, Network for Women’s Rights in Ghana, ActionAid, Women in Law and Development (WiLDAF), Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and several others have championed advocacy campaigns, canvassing support for the passage of the bill.

Why the Gender Equity Bill is a big deal for women?

The primary objective of the bill is to ensure that underrepresented groups have equal access to education and employment opportunities, thereby promoting social and economic equity,

It is expected to ensure that a critical number of women hold key positions in governance, public life, and decision-making spaces, thereby improving the lives of women in the country.

It also seeks to promote the progressive increase and active participation of women in public and active life from a minimum of 30 per cent by 2030, aligning with Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which seek to ensure the full and active participation of women and also promote equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.

Again, it is expected to address issues on marginalising of women in public and economic life in Ghana and also see to an increase in the number of women in leadership.

The Gender Equity Bill 2024 also seeks to ensure that Ghana’s obligations under international human rights instruments are complied with.

It is also expected to promote diversity and inclusivity at the workplace which are essential for promoting innovation and creativity undoubtedly improving access to education and employment opportunities.

By addressing the historical injustices that have left deep-seated inequalities in Ghanaian society, affirmative action policies are expected to create a more equitable future for all Ghanaians by eliminating all forms of bias, promoting diversity, national unity and ultimately create a brighter future for women and other marginalized groups in the country.

JKB/AE

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