Australian Ambassador engages Gender Minister on collaboration for gender equality and social protection

The Austrian Ambassador to Ghana, H Jürgen Heissel, has paid a working visit to the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, to discuss potential areas of collaboration and knowledge exchange in advancing gender equality, social protection, and inclusive development.

Discussions highlighted critical issues such as child rights, domestic violence, cyber security and the welfare of vulnerable groups.

The Minister emphasised the Ministry’s cross-cutting role and its openness to building strong partnerships with both local and international stakeholders.

She revealed that the Ministry is currently working on a Legislative Instrument to support the implementation of the Affirmative Action Act in both formal and informal sectors.

This, she said, would ensure increased representation and equal opportunities for women in leadership and governance.

The Minister also shared recent initiatives, including the launch of a daycare centre to support working mothers, and the revised National Gender Policy, which seeks to foster an inclusive and equitable society.

Other key themes discussed included the promotion of positive masculinity, the importance of gender-responsive data for policymaking, and the integration of gender and child-related concerns into national development planning.

Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in support of shared goals around gender equality, child protection, and the empowerment of vulnerable populations.