Shiela Minkah-Premo, Convener of the Affirmative Action Bill Coalition, has stressed the importance of effective monitoring and evaluation to guarantee the successful implementation of the Affirmative Action Gender Equity Bill 2024, which was approved by Parliament on July 30.
She emphasized that a successful rollout of the Bill is crucial to achieving its desired outcomes.
Disagreeing with the Gender and Social Welfare Committee’s claim that traditional and cultural beliefs will hinder the bill’s success, Shiela Minkah-Premo argues that extensive education and sensitization efforts can overcome these challenges and achieve the bill’s objectives.
“The only way to deal with those things is by a lot of education, a lot of sensitization pointing out that some women from my community where there is a belief that women shouldn’t go far in education, their main objective is to marry…women have risen and have become doctors, lawyers, etc and are also contributing their quota.’’
‘’They (Gender Equity Committee of the Gender Ministry) will have to find out from all the sectors where we are. In Parliament we are only at 14.5 percent, among the ministers, cabinet ministers a certain percentage, everywhere. Judiciary there’s a certain percentage”.
Shiela Minkah-Premo
She suggested that the government can establish a baseline, and then require annual progress reports from various sectors to track their advancements and assess whether the 30 percent target has been achieved.
According to Ms. Minkah-Premo, effective implementation and monitoring of the Bill will be crucial in bridging the gender gap and rectifying existing gender imbalances.
She further emphasized the need to create a database or registry of women with specific qualifications and skills, which would be used to identify and place them in relevant sectors where they are underrepresented.
Ministry To Establish Committee For Effective Execution Of Gender Bill
Additionally, Deputy Majority Leader Patricia Appiagyei stated that the Ministry of Children, Gender and Social Protection will be responsible for establishing a Gender Equity Committee to monitor and ensure the effective implementation of the Affirmative Action Gender Equity Bill 2024.
“We are looking at the Trades Unions, we are looking at the political parties and then we are also looking at the private sector how we can lure them gradually to ensure that in their recruitment, in their employment they would wear the lens to address the gap, the wide gap that we are seeing”.
Patricia Appiagyei
The Asokwa MP further urged the Gender Ministry and other relevant stakeholders to intensify sensitization efforts on the bill, ensuring widespread awareness and understanding, which is crucial for a seamless and effective implementation.
The Deputy Majority Leader noted that upon the bill’s implementation, all employers, encompassing government institutions, security agencies, and private organizations, will be required to prioritize gender diversity in their hiring processes, thereby guaranteeing fair representation of women in their ranks.
Hon. Appiagyei explained that, for example, when a company is hiring five new employees, at least two of those positions should be filled by women, ensuring a minimum of 40% female representation in the recruitment process.
Although the bill still awaits transmission to the Presidency for the President’s assent, Deputy Majority Leader Patricia Appiagyei expressed confidence that it will receive swift approval, stating that the President will be delighted to sign it into law.
She explained that there is a distinction between a private member’s bill and a government-sponsored bill, and noted that it would be in the President’s interest and a source of pride for him to assent to this particular bill, given its significance and potential impact.
The Affirmative Action Bill aims to establish a fair and just society by tackling imbalances in socio-cultural, political, economic, and educational spheres, with the goal of achieving parity and equality.
In light of this, the MP reiterated the government’s unwavering dedication to achieving gender equality across all sectors nationwide, emphasizing its steadfast commitment to creating a balanced and inclusive society.
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