A Member of Parliament is advocating for care giving roles by women such as cooking, washing, in marital homes to be quantified in monetary terms. Gifty Ohene Konadu argued it is only then that roles of women will be valued in marriage. She was speaking to Joy News’ Evans Mensah on the controversial Property Rights of Spouses Bill as well as the ammendment of the PNDC Interstate Succession Law 111 currently before Parliament on Tuesday. The Rights of Spouses bill, among other things stipulates that on the dissolution of marriage, property acquired during the period of marriage shall be distributed equally ie. [50-50]. That particular clause has been a bone of contention in Parliament with members taking sexist stance. Some men in Parliament believe that clause is unfair, whilst women are in full support. Member of Parliament for Bekwai, Joe Osei Owusu in an interview with Joy News maintained the clause needs to thoroughly looked at before the bill is passed into law. He argued who acquired what in the marriage should be considered in sharing properties prior to dissolution of the marriage. He also has challenges with the clause on cohabitation, all of which he believes needs to be reviewed. But the Asante Akim South MP, Gifty Ohene Konadu argued the contribution of women will be valued more if their house hold chores are quantified in monetary terms. “We all know that women are care givers and we contribute immensely towards the upkeep of the family. Sometimes these are ignored but I think we must begin to put value on some of the care giving roles like cooking, like taking care of the babies, and extended family and doing the laundry and others,” she said. “…If we do appreciate the women’s role, the women’s contribution to the upkeep of the family, then we accept the merit of the woman having equal share of the property when there is a divorce.” The chairperson of the Property Rights of Spouses Coalition Shiela Menka-Praemo explained that the basis of the two bills currently before Parliament is to address the basis demands of the 1992 constitution. Article 22 of the constitution clearly indicate that Parliament, soon after the coming into force of the constitution, is to ensure legislation was put in place to ensure equitable distribution of assets jointly acquired during marriage. But the Constitution has been in force for nearly 20 years. She said women have suffered a lot in property distribution disparities and hoped these two laws will address them. She said the two laws are critical because it will streamline property distribution during divorce. She however commended the Ghanaian court for seeking justice and equity during property distribution after marriage dissolution. Play the attached audio for excerpts of the banter on radio