Ashaiman, May 16, GNA - The Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs

(MOWAC) has reiterated its commitment to ensure the enforcement of existing laws and policies on women and children to improve upon their welfare in the country. Miss Akua Sena Dansua, Minister of Women and Children's Affairs said there was the need to effectively implement laws and policies covering women and children as they are constantly being abused and molested despite existing laws such as the Domestic Violence Law. Miss Dansua made the statement on Friday when she delivered the Keynote address at the 27th anniversary celebration of the 31st December Women's Movement, an organization aimed at empowering women economically and politically.

The sector Minister announced that her outfit was prepared to let the law deal with anybody who flouts the laws on the protection of the rights of women and children to serve as a deterrent to others. She called on the public to give the necessary recognition to women in their localities as, according to her, women have a vital role to play in society and in the promotion of peace worldwide. Miss Dansua urged men to complement the efforts of women in educating and caring for their children as parenting should not be left in the hands of the woman alone. She noted that parenting must be taken seriously in the country to help curb the involvement of children and the youth in social vices which include child prostitution, armed robbery and cyber fraud. She congratulated the movement for empowering women politically and economically, which she said, has contributed greatly to the social, economic and democratic development of the country. The sector Minister entreated the Movement to join forces with other progressive women's organizations to move the agenda of women and children forward. Miss Dansua also encouraged women to contest for the district assembly elections next year as a first point of call in participating in decision-making to develop their localities. Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, President and Founder of the 31st December Women's Movement complained about the increase in immorality among the youth and called on women to properly take up the task of morally educating their children. She said instead of cautioning their children against such acts, some mothers rather encourage their children, especially girls into child prostitution as they compare them to others who they regarded as being successful. The former First Lady also entreated women to acquire some employable skills to enable them to financially support their husbands to cater for the house noting, "it is not right for a woman to solely depend on her husband for all her needs." She also urged men to commend their wives for their works as a way of motivating them as women played many roles both at home and in the society.

Other speakers including Nii Amasa Namoale, Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Mr Addison Adinortey Numo, Municipal Chief Executive for Ashaiman congratulated the Movement for their achievements and encouraged them to expand their activities. The women, drawn from all the district branches in the Greater Accra Region wore their anniversary cloth and the red beret as well as sang and danced to show their appreciation to God for the existence of the Movement.