Ghana’s Pro-Women Legal Reforms Driving Global Gender Equality, Minister Tells UN Commission
In a powerful address to the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) at the United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York, Ghana’s Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, highlighted the country’s significant strides in legislative reform.
The Minister underscored that Ghana’s robust framework of pro-women laws has become a cornerstone for boosting gender equality and ensuring that justice is a lived reality for every woman and girl in the West Africa nation.
Dr. Lartey emphasized that for Ghana, providing access to justice is far more than a legal formality; it is viewed as a moral and developmental imperative essential for sustainable growth.
She noted that justice remains a critical pillar for achieving the “leave no one behind” agenda, ensuring that the full realization of human rights is extended to all citizens regardless of gender.
This commitment has led to a series of deliberate legal and policy overhauls designed to dismantle discriminatory practices and strengthen the institutions mandated to protect the vulnerable.
Central to this progress are several landmark pieces of legislation that the Minister presented to the global community.
Some of these laws include the transformative Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act of 2024 and the National Gender Policy spanning 2025 to 2034.
Furthermore, she pointed to the Social Protection Act of 2025 and the Environmental Protection Act of 2025 as modern tools that work alongside the Land Act and Cybersecurity Act to provide a comprehensive safety net for women in both physical and digital spaces.
Beyond passing laws, the Minister detailed Ghana’s investment in gender-responsive justice systems.
This includes specialized training for judicial officers, law enforcement, and social service providers to ensure they handle cases involving women and girls with the necessary sensitivity.
A unique aspect of this outreach involves the training of paralegals within local market centers, bringing legal knowledge directly to where many women work.
By intensifying community engagement, the government is empowering women to recognize their rights, demand accountability, and effectively challenge systemic injustices.
The Minister also reported significant progress in the fight against gender-based violence through survivor-centered institutional reforms.
The operationalization of gender desks at both national and local levels, combined with specialized units within the Ghana Police Service, has vastly improved case management and prosecution rates.
Dr. Lartey however reaffirmed Ghana’s readiness to collaborate with international partners to dismantle harmful social norms, stating that the nation remains firm in its quest to build an inclusive system where dignity and justice are guaranteed for all.
Source: Felix NYAABA//expressnewsghana.com
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