Otiko Djaba
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has made a passionate call for all men and boys in the country to stand up and support women and girls in the quest for equal empowerment of both men and women.
According to the sector minister, Otiko Afisa Djaba, the country cannot achieve gender equality if the male gender did not join the activism for gender parity.
“Achieving gender equality cannot happen in a vacuum and we know it does not happen overnight, there needs to be a commitment to create fair and equal conditions for women and men, girls and boys,” she said.
Madam Djaba made the call during a press briefing on the ‘HeForShe’ Campaign launch expected to take place on 12th December in collaboration with UN women.
Taking journalists through the campaign, she said achieving gender equality is a collective national responsibility and a mutual agenda for both men and women hence the motive to include men.
The campaign is expected to mobilize over two million men to take active part in activities including affirmative action, ending negative traditional practices and economic empowerment of women.
It also aims at garnering male support to the passing of the Affirmative Action bill in Ghana as soon as possible to address the concern of poor participation of women in politics and public service.
Madam Djaba said, “Ghana going ‘HeForShe’ means everyone becomes responsible for the progress of gender equality in their daily lives, work and actions.
This means that boys and girls will be brought up through early socialization to believe they are equal and are entitled to equal opportunities,” she observed.
She said for the country to achieve gender equality, all must strive to create a conducive and enabling environment where men and boys will rise in support of women and girls, where men will support their women to do the household chores and support their women to climb the economic ladder, support girls education and skills development and encourage the general growth of women and girls.
She said the country’s achievement of the ‘HeForShe’ goal will not only eradicate harmful practices being meted out to females in the name of culture and tradition but also make Ghana an example of a gender-based violence free country.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri