Former Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Otiko Afisa Djaba has lauded Parliament for passing the Affirmative Action Bill, indicating that the said bill will bridge the age-old gap between men and women in the society.
She bemoaned that women from time immemorial have been subjected to all forms of tiresome social segregations making them lose their self-esteem and God-given talents.
In an interview with Nana Yaw Fianko on Atinka TV’s flagship afternoon political show, Agenda, the Chief Executive Officer for Djaba Foundation registered her displeasure with a number of excruciating situations women have had to endure over the years all because there hasn’t been any deliberate law or policy ensuring their safety and inclusion in our decision-making process as a society.
According to the outspoken politician, the Affirmative Action Bill will facilitate gender equality and equity in our society, thereby breaking the monopoly of men at the helm of affairs. It will ensure women are also allowed to contest key positions and hold high offices just as men.
“Even though the 1992 Constitution states categorically that we are all equal before the law, there are many disparities between men and women and it’s worrying. For quite a long time now, women have been lagging behind. Child marriage, female genital mutilation,servility to household chores among other demeaning treatments have bedeviled most women. Aside from the aforementioned, pregnancy and maternity health issues have also succeeded in denying most women their promotion at their various workplaces. As a society that believes in the prowess of women, we must address all these issues squarely,”she argued.
Ghana | Atinkaonline.com| Kwabena Ahuofe
