Ghana’s parliament has passed the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Bill 2024.
The Bill has been in and out of Parliament for over a decade despite pressure from civil society actors and feminist groups calling for its passage.
Gender Minister, Darkoa Newmann on Tuesday, moved the motion for the passage and the bill was put to a vote.
“Honourable members the ‘ayes’ have it. The Affirmative Action Gender Equality Bill 2024 now the Affirmative Action Gender Equity Act duly read the third time and passed,” Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin announced.
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🚨 #GhParliament has passed the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Bill, 2024. The bill was passed after the House concluded a second consideration today. The Bill seeks to provide affirmative action for gender equity in the public & private sectors in the country.
— Odekro (@odekro) July 30, 2024
Women are under-represented in leadership positions in Ghana, a 2023 UNDP paper noted as many studies have also reported before. Even for Ghana’s Parliament, only 14.5% of women are MPs, considered a low and below the UN benchmark of 30%.
It is expected that the bill’s passage now, would among others, increase women’s participation in decision-making positions by requiring that at least 40% of public offices be reserved for women.
