On Tuesday, July 30th, 2024, during its thirty-second sitting of the third meeting in the eighth session, Parliament passed the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024.
Drafted in 2011 and originally introduced in Parliament in 2016, the Act was finally enacted by the Eighth Parliament yesterday. This landmark legislation represents a crucial advancement in Ghana’s efforts toward gender equity and women’s empowerment.
On 27th September 2023, Cabinet gave approval for the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Bill, developed through a very extensive consultative process involving both state and non-state actors. The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Dakoa Newman, laid the current Bill in Parliament on 14th June 2024.
The purpose of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 is to effectively redress social, cultural, economic and gender imbalance in the country, based on enduring gender bias rooted in entrenched patriarchal norms, despite formal legal equality between men and women.
The Act seeks to provide for gender equity through the progressive achievement of gender balance in the public and private sectors according to set targets in a bid to address the existing gender disparities in various aspects of Ghanaian society, including education, politics, and the economy. It provides for progressive increase of women who are hitherto marginalized to be progressively represented in decision-making processes and leadership positions for a more sustainable development.
The Act provides in its first schedule timelines and targets to close the gender gaps. Starting from 2024 to 2026, all sectors are to comply with the set target and attain a minimum of thirty percent (30%) representation of women (currently identified as the marginalised gender) until gender parity is progressively achieved by the year 2030.
After Parliament’s passage of this Act, the final step is the President’s assent and its subsequent publication in the gazette for it to become law. The President has shown strong support for women’s issues, and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection trusts that he will expedite the process of giving his assent to ensure prompt implementation.
The Ministry of Gender is thrilled that Ghana has made a significant stride towards achieving gender equity across all sectors and addressing the historical marginalization of women. This milestone reflects the Government of Ghana’s dedication and the collective effort of everyone who supported this vital legislation. The Ministry extends its sincere thanks to the President of the Republic, Parliament, and all organizations, notably the Affirmative Action Bill Coalition, as well as individuals who have championed this cause. We are committed to the effective implementation of this law to foster a more inclusive and equitable society for all Ghanaians.
