Gender activist and member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communications Team, Shamima Muslim, has highlighted widespread misconceptions about gender equality in Ghana.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Newsfile, Mad Muslim emphasised that equality is about providing equal opportunities and removing barriers, rather than women overtaking men in positions of power.
“Ghana has ratified many conventions around the issues of gender equality, but we are so consumed with names and framing that we think equality…
“There is a misconception about the meaning of equality that makes people quite sensitive to the use of it,” she expressed.
Read also: Affirmative Action bill passed into law
She pointed out that these misunderstandings contribute to resistance against gender equality initiatives.
She therefore clarified that equality is about ensuring everyone has the same opportunities and eliminating obstacles that hinder participation.
“If we understood that equality at its base is about equality of opportunities and removing barriers to participation, we wouldn’t think that it is women coming to lord it over men or women wanting to take over their positions,” she explained.
Her statement comes after the passage of the Affirmative Action Gender Equity bill on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.
Madam Muslim believes that the implementation of the Act after it becomes a law and its accompanying instruments will bridge the gender gap.
She believes that such legal frameworks are essential for fostering true gender equality in Ghana.
The purpose of the Act is to effectively address social, cultural, economic, and political gender imbalances in the country, stemming from historical discrimination against women and persistent patriarchal socio-cultural systems and norms.
The Act seeks to ensure gender equity in both the public and private sectors.
Latest Stories
-
Government to publish list of locally-made items for mandatory procurement by state agencies
4 minutes -
MTN Ghana celebrates CEO, Stephen Blewett’s one year in office
11 minutes -
GPL 2024/25: Legon Cities end away losing streak with draw in Wenchi
26 minutes -
GPL 2024/25: Basake Holy Stars end losing streak with win against Berekum Chelsea
44 minutes -
GPL 2024/25: Samartex sink Accra Lions into relegation zone
1 hour -
GPL 2024/25: Hearts beat Medeama on return to Accra Sports Stadium
2 hours -
GPL 2024/25: GoldStars title dreams suffer setback with defeat to Dreams FC
2 hours -
Govt to restrict state institutions from importing goods that can be produced locally
2 hours -
NHIA begins payment of arrears, urges private health providers to resume NHIS services
3 hours -
GPL 2024/25: Heart of Lions hold Asante Kotoko in Kpando
3 hours -
No wigs please – the new rules shaking up beauty pageants
3 hours -
Zimbabwe to scrap tariffs on US goods as it faces 18% Trump levy
4 hours -
Kamaldeen Sulemana and Southampton relegated after defeat to Tottenham
4 hours -
Foreign and domestic militias fuel Sudan’s war: are there any safeguards against the nation’s hijacking?
5 hours -
NPP calls for gov’t transparency on suspected drug and money laundering concerns
7 hours