STAKEHOLDERS’ VALIDATION MEETING ON DRAFT REGULATIONS FOR THE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION (GENDER EQUITY) ACT, 2024 (ACT 1121)

Following the historic passage of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121), which mandates measures to promote equal representation and participation of women in decision-making, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) has convened a stakeholders’ validation meeting to review and finalise the draft Regulations for its implementation.

The meeting brought together key stakeholders from government institutions, civil society organisations, women’s groups, and development partners to collate inputs and ensure that the draft Legislative Instrument (L.I.) reflects broad consensus and practical measures for implementation.

In her address, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey described the validation meeting as a significant milestone in Ghana’s journey toward achieving true gender equality and social justice. She noted that while the passage of the Act was a landmark moment, “an Act without robust implementation mechanisms remains a promise unfulfilled.”

She emphasized that the Regulations under review would serve as the engine that powers the vehicle of change, translating the intent of the law into concrete outcomes across workplaces, communities, and governance structures.

Highlighting progress achieved so far, the Minister pointed to notable strides in education, health, governance, and economic empowerment. She noted that Ghana has achieved near gender parity in primary school enrolment, witnessed increased participation of women in tertiary education, recorded significant reductions in maternal mortality, and seen a steady rise in women’s appointment to leadership positions.

She further mentioned that various initiatives have economically empowered thousands of women through access to microfinance, skills training, and entrepreneurship programmes, improving their livelihoods and financial independence.

The Minister also called for collective ownership of the process, stressing that the success of the Affirmative Action agenda depends on a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. She urged the media to support public education, encouraged the private sector to view gender equity as an investment in innovation and productivity, and called on traditional and religious leaders to be agents of positive cultural change.

The validation meeting serves as a platform for inclusive consultations to ensure that the Regulations align with Ghana’s national priorities and international commitments to gender equality and inclusive governance. The outcome of the meeting will inform the final draft of the Regulations, which will subsequently be submitted to Parliament for approval.

Source: MoGCSP