Gender Minister urges African nations to enforce affirmative action for women in public office

On the margins of the ongoing 70th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) in New York, Ghana’s Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has urged African nations to enforce Affirmative action policies to increase women’s participation in public office .

She made the call when she delivered the closing remarks during a side event organised by the Pan-African Parliament, AUDA-NEPAD, and the African Women Leaders Network(AWLN) at the Nelson Mandela Hall of the AU Permanent Observer Mission in New York.

The discussion was under the theme “Strengthening Women’s Public And Parliamentary Leadership To Advance Justice, Laws And Accountable Governance In Africa”.

The minister expressed her profound appreciation to the Pan-African Parliament and the African Union Development Agency - NEPAD, for providing the platform for such important discourse and also applauded the African Women Leaders Network for its sustained efforts in advancing women’s leadership and participation across our dear continent.

Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey acknowledged the encouraging progress that African states have made through the adoption of legislative reforms, gender-responsive policies and institutional mechanisms to increase women’s representation in governance.

“These efforts align with the aspirations of the African Union Agenda 2063 and other global commitments to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment”. she said.

The minister presented several notable accomplishments achieved by the government under the leadership of HE President John Dramani Mahama. Notably, the passage of the Affirmative Action Act (Gender Equity) Act, 2024, and its complementary legislation, Ghana’s National Gender Policy, were highlighted.

These measures address the persistent underrepresentation of women in decision-making processes and establish a comprehensive framework for mainstreaming gender considerations across all sectors of national development.



She emphasized that, “These frameworks, including others reflect Ghana’s conviction that transformative change requires both strong legal instruments and effective policy implementation. They also underscore the importance of collaboration among government institutions, parliament, civil society, traditional authorities and development partners to address structural inequalities, empower women and girls, promote equal participation in governance as well as economic development to ensure that, national planning processes are responsive to the needs of both women and men”.

In concluding, the minister urged the distinguished participants to prioritise three key areas upon their return to their respective countries:



1. Strengthening legal and institutional frameworks that ensure women’s equal participation in political and public life.

2. Addressing structural, social, and economic barriers that hinder women’s entry and success in leadership positions, including political financing disparities, discriminatory societal norms, and violence against women in politics.

3. Investing in the next generation of women leaders by expanding opportunities for mentorship, education, and leadership development for young women and girls across the continent.

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