The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, will lead Ghana’s delegation to the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), hosted at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 9th to 19th March 2026.
The session is the United Nation’s principal intergovernmental body focused on promoting gender equality and empowering women globally.
“This session presents an important platform for Ghana to showcase our commitment to ensuring gender equality and enhancing the rights of women and girls. Our participation underscores the Government’s determination to address both emerging and persistent challenges in the area of social protection and justice.”
Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection
The priority theme for CSW70, “ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, including by promoting inclusive and equitable legal systems, eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and addressing structural barriers,” is a reflection of the global push for gender-responsive legal frameworks.
Hon. Dr. Agnes Lartey highlighted Ghana’s alignment with this theme, noting that the country has implemented a series of initiatives to strengthen women’s access to justice, safeguard their rights, and empower them economically and socially.
“From legislative reforms to community empowerment programs, Ghana has made considerable strides, and this is an opportunity to share our experiences and learn from others”.
Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection
Composition of Ghana’s Delegation
Ghana’s delegation comprises technical officials from relevant ministries, Members of Parliament, representatives from the Office of the President, academia, and civil society organizations (CSOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in gender equality and social protection.
The multi-sectoral delegation reflects the country’s holistic approach to advancing women’s rights and ensuring that policy and practice remain interconnected.
Dr. Lartey is scheduled to deliver three official statements on behalf of Ghana: during the Opening Dialogue Segment, the Ministerial Roundtable Discussion, and a High-Level Meeting.
These statements will outline Ghana’s progress in implementing national gender policies, highlight best practices, and identify ongoing challenges in achieving gender equality.
The Minister will also participate in relevant side events and bilateral discussions with other Member States and UN agencies, creating opportunities to strengthen partnerships, exchange knowledge, and advocate for gender-responsive policies.
“Our presence at CSW70 enables us to champion the rights of women and girls while reinforcing Ghana’s leadership on these issues”.
Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection
Ghana’s Ongoing Commitment to Gender Equality
Ghana’s participation in CSW70 aligns with its national and international commitments to gender equality. The country has actively pursued legislative and policy measures, including the Revised National Gender Policy (2025–2034), aimed at empowering women, enhancing access to justice, and transforming inequitable gender relations.
Speaking on Ghana’s track record, a senior official from the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection noted, “Ghana continues to demonstrate leadership in promoting inclusive governance. Participation at CSW70 allows us to share our successes and also learn from global best practices to improve our own systems.”
The UN Commission on the Status of Women brings together Member States, UN agencies, civil society, and other stakeholders to review progress on gender equality and women’s empowerment, tackle emerging challenges, and reaffirm global commitments.
CSW70 provides an avenue to assess implementation gaps, explore innovative solutions, and foster international collaboration. By actively participating, Ghana positions itself among countries demonstrating proactive approaches to integrating gender equality into national development strategies.
Experts suggest that engagement in forums like CSW70 is critical to securing international support for national initiatives and ensuring that women and girls benefit from legislative and social protection reforms.
Impact of Ghana’s Participation
Dr. Lartey’s participation is expected to enhance Ghana’s visibility in global discussions on women’s empowerment and social protection.
It will also allow the country to highlight the successes of domestic programs, including initiatives aimed at reducing gender-based discrimination, expanding economic opportunities for women, and ensuring access to justice in local communities.
“The insights we gain and the networks we build at CSW70 will strengthen our capacity to implement gender-sensitive policies at home,” Dr. Lartey said, noting that collaboration with UN agencies and civil society will be instrumental in furthering Ghana’s objectives.
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