Minister of Information Fatimatu Abubakar has commended the passage of the Affirmative Action, Gender Equity Bill 2024, calling it a significant advancement in addressing gender imbalances across various sectors in Ghana.
The bill, approved by Parliament on July 30, 2024, aims to correct social, cultural, economic, and political gender disparities rooted in historical discrimination and entrenched patriarchal norms.
In a discussion on The Forum on August 3, Abubakar praised the bill as a progressive measure poised to increase female representation in leadership roles.
She explained that the current legislative framework, as outlined in the 1992 Constitution, has inherent biases that hinder women’s representation in Parliament and subsequent appointments to ministerial positions.
Abubakar noted the challenge posed by Article 94 of the Constitution, which stipulates the qualifications for Members of Parliament (MPs) and is based on electoral processes without preferential treatment for women.
She contrasted this with Article 78, which mandates that the President appoint a majority of ministers from Parliament.
Given the underrepresentation of women in Parliament, this constitutional framework makes it challenging for the President to appoint a balanced number of female ministers.
“With approximately 275 MPs, including only 40 women, the constitutional requirement makes it difficult for the President to appoint more women than men,” Abubakar stated.
“This imbalance highlights the need for a law like the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, which addresses these disparities.”
Describing the new law as a dynamic and evolving framework, Abubakar emphasized its role in promoting equity rather than mere equality.
“The shift from gender equality to gender equity reflects a deeper understanding that achieving 50/50 representation is not feasible under the current constitutional constraints,” she said.
“The Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act is designed to tackle discrimination in political, social, and other areas, ensuring a more balanced and equitable society.”
Abubakar’s remarks underscore the significance of the Affirmative Action Bill in fostering gender equity and addressing longstanding disparities in Ghanaian society.
