Customary inhibitions and other discriminatory practices continue to deny widows the right to inherit their husbands and to own property, despite legislative reforms to correct that anomaly.

Mr Faisal Bawa, Programmes Coordinator of International
Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA-Ghana) made this observation at a gender advocacy workshop for men in Hohoe on Thursday.

It was organized by FIDA-Ghana under the auspices of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG).

Mr Bawa said the controversy over marital rape that preceded the passage of the Domestic Violence Bill into law showed that society had unfortunately come to consider marital violence against women as acceptable.

Mr Bawa said poverty, ignorance, a dependency driven by archaic anti-feminist customs and traditions prevent about 51 percent of women from realizing their full potentials.

Ms Rosita Lee, FIDA-Ghana said the objective of the workshop was to collate the underlying factors that hinder the total development of women and engender discussions on gender issues among stakeholders.

She said women like men required equal opportunities, rights, and resources for a mutual co-existence and development.

Ms Grace Oppong, FIDA-Ghana said paralegal training, gender sensitization and sensitivity programmes would be rolled out for major actors.

She said the 1992 Republican Constitution, the criminal code, 1960, (ACT 29), United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all forms of discrimination against women (CEDAW) have accorded protection against women and equal rights.

She said FIDA and other organizations have begun a journey to eradicate the stereotypes and negative perceptions on gender issues.


Source: GNA