Ghana reaffirms commitment to justice for women, girls
GHANA has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening access to justice for all women and girls during the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70).
The session, held under the theme of advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women, provided an opportunity for countries to reflect on progress made and to renew collective efforts to protect the rights of women and girls globally.
A statement issued by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, shared with The Ghanaian Times yesterday, said Ghana considers access to justice for women and girls not only a legal obligation but also a moral and developmental imperative.
According to the Minister, justice remained a critical pillar for achieving equality, peace, the full realisation of human rights, and sustainable development, ensuring that no one is left behind.
She outlined several legal and policy frameworks Ghana has implemented to strengthen access to justice, including the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121), the National Gender Policy (2025–2034) and the Social Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1148).
Others, Dr Lartey mentioned, were the Cyber Security Act, 2020 (Act 1038), the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036), and the Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1124).
She indicated that Ghana had strengthened efforts to combat gender-based violence through institutional reforms, the establishment of specialised units within the Ghana Police Service, operationalisation of gender desks at national and local levels, and enhanced collaboration among the judiciary, social welfare services, and civil society organisations. Those measures, she said, had improved reporting, case management, and prosecution.
Dr Lartey acknowledged that while progress had been made, more remained to be done.
“Ghana remains committed to expanding access to justice mechanisms, strengthening institutions, and ensuring that no woman or girl is denied justice due to social, economic, or structural barriers,” Dr Lartey stated.
She reaffirmed Ghana’s dedication to building an inclusive and equitable justice system and working with partners at national, regional, and global levels to dismantle discriminatory laws, challenge harmful social norms, and transform justice systems in line with international commitments.
“We look forward to a future where access to justice is not merely an aspiration, but a lived reality for every woman and girl,” Dr Lartey said.
BY STEPHANIE BIRIKORANG
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