WiLDAF Ghana Participates in UN Women's Consultative Meeting
The Stakeholders present comprised of Civil Society Organizations, State Actors, Individuals, Development Partners and the Media.
The Consultations were among others aimed at; articulating and validating key country and regional gender equality priorities and opportunities, clarifying what type of support Governments, Women centered Civil Society Organizations and UN organizations require from the UN Women. It was also meant to generate agreement around the broad outcomes to which UN Women should contribute while clarifying its role in relation to the partners.
Addressing the Stakeholders, the Regional Director of Africa; Dr. Josephine Dera, clearly spelt out the UN Women’s Perspective. She also highlighted the UN Women’s coordination role, priority areas, challenges, opportunity for partners and the underpinning principles that guide the operations of the Entity.
In a plenary session that followed group consultations, the following areas emerged as cross cutting issues for the UN Entity to focus on in relation to Ghana for the next 2-3years:
- Violence Against Women and Girls
- Women’s Participation in Politics and Decision making
- Education and Economic Empowerment of Women
- Women’s Reproductive Health and Rights
- Address Socio-cultural Practices that militate against women’s advancement
- Strengthen institutional mechanisms of Organizations that champion Gender Equality
- Develop a coherent platform for the Women’s Movement in Ghana
- Support the Government to develop a comprehensive National Gender Policy Document linking it to the strategic areas and having a coordinated approach to implementation.
Evidently, the consultation achieved its objective in that the priority areas needed to be factored into the strategic plan were reached. It is hoped that the implementation of the Strategic plan would advance the cause of Women.