By Diana Adjei
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has marked the 2026 International Women’s Day with a renewed call for stronger action to promote gender equality and protect the rights of women and girls in Ghana.
The national conference, organised with support from UNICEF Ghana and United Nations Population Fund, brought together policy makers, development partners, civil society organisations and women’s rights advocates to assess progress made and discuss ways to further empower women and girls.
The event was held on the theme “Rights, Justice, Action: For All Women and Girls.”
Delivering the keynote address, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, emphasised the need for sustained national efforts to close gender gaps in political participation, economic empowerment, education, health and protection from violence.
She noted that achieving gender equality requires collective responsibility and deliberate action from all sectors of society.
The Minister also indicated that government’s development agenda prioritises inclusive growth and aims to translate the rights of women and girls into meaningful outcomes through the implementation of key policies such as the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act and the Domestic Violence Act.
She therefore urged stakeholders to treat gender equality not only as a women’s issue but as a national development priority.
Chief Director of the Ministry, Afisah Zakariah, highlighted the importance of sustained collaboration among government institutions, civil society organisations, development partners and communities to accelerate progress towards gender equality.
Also addressing the gathering, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Gender, Children and Social Welfare, Helen Ntoso, reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to promoting gender-responsive laws and policies that safeguard the welfare of women and girls.
The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Zia Choudhury, commended the Ministry for its leadership in advancing gender equality and pledged continued support for initiatives aimed at empowering women and girls across the country.
The conference featured panel discussions and technical sessions focusing on strengthening institutional coordination, addressing persistent gender inequalities and promoting inclusive policies that provide equal opportunities for women and girls.
Stakeholders at the event emphasised the need for stronger partnerships, sustained advocacy and decisive action to advance gender equality in Ghana.
