The Women’s Voices Matter Movement has presented a petition to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection calling for greater attention to issues affecting women and the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms in Ghana.
The group presented its petition through its representative Madam Akosua Manu. The concerns raised included the protection of freedom of expression, timely action on women’s constitutional rights, the implementation of the Affirmative Action Act and the establishment of the proposed Women’s Development Bank.
Receiving the petition, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, acknowledged the demonstration as an exercise of the group’s democratic rights and assured the protesters that their concerns had been heard. She said the Ministry remained committed to advancing the rights and welfare of women, children and persons with disabilities and other groups it serves.
On the Affirmative Action Act, the Minister said the necessary committee and Secretariat had been established to support its implementation. She also explained that work on the proposed Women’s Development Bank was being led by the Office of the Vice President in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, stressing that the government remained committed to establishing the Bank for the benefit of women and the people of Ghana.
She reiterated the Ministry’s readiness to engage with stakeholders and work towards addressing issues affecting women and other groups within its mandate.
