The National Parliamentary Advisor and Team Manager for the Inclusive Legislatures for Gender Responsive Policies (ILGRP), Dr. Gifty Adika, has highlighted the critical importance of gender sensitivity and the promotion of gender-responsive legislation in Ghana.
Dr. Adika emphasized that raising awareness around these issues is essential for addressing gender inequality, discrimination, harassment, and violence.
Her remarks were made during a one-day training event for members of the Parliamentary Press Corps (PPC), focused on gender equality awareness, gender-based analysis plus, and related subjects.
The workshop was organized by the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA) and the African Parliamentary Press Network (APPN), with support from Global Affairs Canada-funded ILGRP, in collaboration with the Parliamentary Centre for Canada.
She stressed the need for well-informed media and civil society groups on gender awareness issues to ensure responsible reportage, which she said underscored the training for the PPC.
Agnes Titriku, the parliamentary liaison and project officer at the Inclusive Legislatures for Gender Responsive Policies (ILGRP), further reinforced the necessity of creating legislative environments that are more inclusive and sensitive to gender disparities.
Speaking on the overview of the ILGRP Project, Titriku argued that gender-responsive legislatures are vital for achieving sustainable development and social equity.
She advocated for integrating gender implications in legislative efforts to ensure that policies are equitable and contribute effectively to bridging the gender gap across various societal sectors.
Esenam Ahiadorme, the Gender and Influencing Specialist at Plan International Ghana, addressed the deep-seated gender roles and norms affecting women’s participation in leadership and decision-making roles.
Despite Ghana’s progress in enhancing women’s representation, challenges remain, particularly in Parliament, business, and other key areas.
Ahiadorme pointed out the potential negative impact of the upcoming elections on women’s parliamentary seats, underscoring the need for continued efforts to overcome systemic barriers and promote inclusivity.
The workshop also featured valuable insights from Gilbert Boyefio of PNAfrica, Lilian Bruce, Gender and CSOs Advisor and others on topics such as the Gender Advocacy to Parliament (GAP) project and Gender-Based Analysis Plus.
