AFRICAN WOMEN LAWYERS ASSOCIATION SEEKS COLLABORATION WITH GENDER MINISTRY

A delegation from the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA), led by its Chairperson, Madam Christine Lartey, has paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey.

The visit aimed to formally introduce the Association to the new Minister and explore possible areas of collaboration to promote gender equality and women’s rights.

Discussions during the meeting focused on several critical issues, including the need to ensure that laws passed in Ghana are gender-responsive and inclusive. The delegation also raised concerns about the increasing use of social media to harass individuals, particularly women, and emphasized the urgent need to address this growing form of digital abuse.

One key issue raised was that of surrogacy—specifically, the need to develop a policy to streamline or guide its practice in the short term, ahead of a comprehensive legal framework for long-term regulation.

The meeting also addressed the enforcement and review of the Interstate Succession Law, violence against women, and the vulnerabilities of kayayei (female head porters), especially their exposure to abuse and exploitation.

AWLA further proposed that the Domestic Violence Fund be adequately resourced to support survivors of abuse and to strengthen institutional responses to gender-based violence.

The need to advance the passage of the Property Rights of Spouses Bill was also emphasized as crucial to protecting the economic rights of women, particularly within marriage and family settings.

Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey expressed her appreciation to AWLA for their consistent advocacy on gender-related issues and their willingness to partner with the Ministry. She assured the delegation that the Ministry would work closely with AWLA to follow up on all the points discussed.

In particular, she announced that the Ministry would form a joint team, in collaboration with AWLA and other stakeholders, to develop a draft policy framework on surrogacy and the empowerment of kayayei.

The Minister further reiterated government’s commitment to promoting gender equity and ensuring that all Ghanaians, especially vulnerable women and children, are protected under the law. She also pledged the Ministry’s readiness to deepen stakeholder engagement for sustained impact.

Also present at the meeting was the Chief Director of the Ministry, Dr. Afisah Zakariah.

Source: MoGCSP