The Parliament of Ghana has officially passed the Affirmative Action, Gender Equity Bill 2024.
This landmark legislation aims to address long-standing social, cultural, economic, and political gender imbalances in the country, which have their roots in historical discrimination against women and enduring patriarchal norms.
The bill also targets gender equity across both the public and private sectors, ensuring a fairer representation and treatment of all genders.
During the parliamentary session on Tuesday, Speaker Alban Bagbin declared, “Honourable members, the ‘ayes’ have it. The Affirmative Action Gender Equality Bill 2024 is now the Affirmative Action Gender Equity Act, duly read the third time and passed.”
However, not all reactions were positive. Haruna Iddrisu, the Member of Parliament for Tamale South, expressed his dissatisfaction with the bill.
He argued that its content is not tailored to address the specific issues faced by Ghana but rather focuses on matters pertinent to other countries. Mr. Iddrisu voiced his concerns at the 15th MTN Pulse Africa Transform Summit in Kumasi, urging women to aspire while also managing their aspirations.
This newly passed act is seen as a significant step toward achieving gender equity in Ghana, despite differing opinions on its scope and relevance.
The legislation is expected to pave the way for more inclusive and balanced representation in various sectors of society.
