Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing women's rights and empowerment, calling for decisive action to address gender inequality and violence against women and girls.

Speaking at an event in Accra to mark International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025, she highlighted the need to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete steps to ensure the full inclusion and advancement of Ghanaian women in all sectors.

This year’s celebration, held under the theme "Reflect, Review, and Reset," coincided with the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a landmark global commitment to gender equality.

Vice President Opoku-Agyemang called for an end to all forms of violence against women, including domestic violence, human trafficking, child marriage, female genital mutilation, and sexual violence. She emphasized that beyond physical abuse, systemic inequalities that hinder women’s progress—such as limited access to education and employment opportunities—also constitute violence.

"Ignoring the needs of girls and women, obstructing their pathways to advancement, and enforcing their acceptance of mediocrity are unacceptable. We must take urgent action," she stated.

She further urged legal reforms, improved access to justice, and sustained public education to address these injustices.

Vice President Opoku-Agyemang outlined the government’s concrete efforts to uplift women and girls, including policies on girls’ education, reproductive health, and economic empowerment.

She praised the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) for championing girls’ education and commended the government’s decision to reintroduce the supply of free sanitary pads in schools—an initiative she spearheaded as Education Minister under President John Dramani Mahama.

"To think that the natural menstrual cycle poses a threat to the advancement of girls in education is unacceptable," she stated, adding that the current Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has taken immediate steps to address the issue.

She also called for the swift passage of the Affirmative Action Act, emphasizing the need for greater female representation in leadership.

Vice President Opoku-Agyemang commended Ghana’s Queen Mothers and traditional authorities for their role in promoting women’s welfare and called on all stakeholders to actively support women’s progress.

"We are all awakening to the benefits that accrue to children, families, communities, and the nation when we support women to reach their full potential," she noted.

She urged men and women to work together in eliminating gender-based violence and ensuring women's empowerment, concluding her address with a call for accelerated action in fulfilling Ghana’s commitment to gender equality.

 

"Let us act now and bring our long-established knowledge to fruition. The time for true gender equality is now."