Last Friday, a distinguished gathering of prominent female Members of Parliament (MPs), leaders from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) focused on gender issues, and other vital stakeholders converged to discuss how to reshape their gender advocacy
The meeting, held under PNAfrica’s Gender Advocacy to Parliament Project (GAP) and funded by the French Embassy, aimed to fortify gender-based CSOs for sustained engagement with women MPs and enhance parliamentary advocacy for the adoption of laws and policies ensuring equality, non-discrimination, gender equity, parity, and the promotion of women and girls’ economic, social, political, reproductive, and sexual rights.
The primary impetus behind the project is the glaring under-representation of women in Parliament, which has hindered the Legislature’s adoption of gender-focused policies and laws.
In his presentation on the GAP, the Executive Director of PNAfrica, Sammy Obeng, stressed the importance of collaboration and effective partnerships between MPs and CSOs.
He highlighted PNAfrica’s efforts to leverage its partnership with CSOs and female MPs through various intervention mechanisms, including monitoring Parliament, providing legislative alerts, and offering support through statements and advocacy.
To further mainstream gender issues, Obeng emphasized the need to engage other parliamentary committees, recognizing that gender cuts across various facets of governance.
During an interactive panel discussion on the topic, ‘Pursuing the gender agenda: A case for effective collaboration between MPs and CSOs,’ Patricia Appiagyei, MP for Asokwa, urged CSOs to renew their advocacy for the passage of the Affirmative Action Bill. She expressed concern over the repeated reviews of the bill and called for concerted action to ensure its passage before the end of the 8th Parliament.
Betty Nana Efua Krosbi Mensah, the MP for Afram Plains North Constituency, argued that CSOs had not fully appreciated the functions of MPs beyond legislation. She emphasized that MPs are also responsible for their constituents who expect them to bring about development in their constituencies.
She attributed this perception to debates organized by CSOs during elections, where aspirants often make unrealistic promises, overshadowing the achievements of sitting MPs.
MP for Pusiga, Laadi Ayii Ayamba, highlighted the importance of including male MPs and men in gender advocacy, emphasizing that gender issues are not limited to women alone. She encouraged CSOs to recognize and applaud the efforts of women who managed to secure parliamentary seats, as recognition and encouragement are vital motivators for success.
The panel members also included Prof Akosua K. Darkwah, Convenor Network for Women’s Rights in Ghana (NETRIGHT); Dr Rose Mensah-Kutin, Executive Director of Abantu for Development and a representative for the Affirmative Action Bill Coalition; and Abena Amoah, the Executive Director, Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG).
The meeting facilitated a productive exchange of ideas and experiences among diverse stakeholders, reinforcing their commitment to advocating for gender-based laws and policies that promote equality, non-discrimination, gender equity, and parity.