Ms Akua Sena Dansua, Minister of Women and Children�s Affairs has emphasized that the improvement in the well being of womenfolk was inseparable from the attainment of development of every society.
She said it was therefore essential that a critical look was taken on how cultural and traditional practices affected women, men and children at large.
Ms Dansua said this in an address read for her at the inauguration of the Hohoe Municipal Council of Queens in Hohoe on Thursday.
She said the chapter seven of the Constitution guarantees the rights, responsibilities and protection of all including women, with government ratifying all international conventions and protocols on all forms of discrimination against women.
Ms Dansua said in spite of these, women and children continued to suffer gender-based violence including widowhood rites, early and forced marriage, trial by ordeal, genital mutilation, trokosi and inheritance difficulties.
She observed that the task of queens was becoming arduous in relation to the high rates of single parenting, parental irresponsibility and rural-urban migration associated with modern societies.
Ms Dansua noted that it was imperative for Chieftaincy as an institution to reposition itself in order to continue to make a meaningful impact on the people.
Mr Victor-Hermann Condobrey, Hohoe Municipal Chief Executive pledged the assembly�s loyalty and support to the course of the Council, which he said, falls into the development paradigm of his administration.
He said laid down procedures in local governance would be strictly adhered to, to facilitate rapid development and growth towards fulfilling a �Better Ghana� agenda.
Mr Condobrey said government was committed to gender mainstreaming policy and affirmative action, and had demonstrated that in its appointments to bridge the perceived yawning gender gap.
Mamaga Dewotornyo I, Paramount Queen of Gbi Traditional Area and President of the Council, said the platform would be harnessed towards removing gender stereotypes, which continued to blight and limit the progress of womenfolk towards societal progress and nation building.
She mentioned undertaking advocacy activities, networking and exploring avenues towards modernizing debilitating customary, cultural and traditional practices that are dehumanizing as areas of concern.
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