Otiko Djaba demands immediate passage of Affirmative Action Bill

The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection Otiko Afisa Djaba has called for the immediate passage of the Affirmative Action Bill, insisting it cannot wait for more years.

In a statement read by the sector Minister to Parliament Wednesday to commemorate the celebration of International Women’s Day which fell on today, 8th March 2017, the minister maintained that she will ensure that the draft is finalized and brought before the house.

The bill seeks to promote gender equality in all sphere of national development. Madam Otiko Djaba stated that when there is gender inequality in a nation, it is akin to men running with one leg whilst the other leg is tied up.

To promote development, she underscored, we need both legs representing male and female to run the course of life and to win.

The Gender Minister also congratulated all women especially those who have been able to make it to the top.

She commended the Chief Justice Theodora Georgina Wood, the Chief of Staff, Fremah Opare, the Second Deputy Majority Leader in Parliament, Adwoa Safo, describing them as an example of what women can do.

Despite of the achievements in gender equality, she bemoaned the fact that institutions like the National House of Chiefs do not have space for women (Queen Mothers).

She lamented that at this day and age, women are still being “traded like cattle under the guise of child marriage”.

Otiko noted that notwithstanding the passage of the Interstate Succession law in 1985, there are still problems with inheritance in some communities.

She said it is one of her outfit’s top priorities to review the Interstate Succession Act in order to make the law more responsive.