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The Africa Center for International Law and Accountability (ACILA) has called for increased efforts towards achieving gender parity for women.

In a statement issued to commemorate International Women’s Day, ACILA said that although progress has been made in ensuring gender parity, a lot still remains to be done.

It said that to date, discrimination against women still continues to be an issue, adding that in several places in the world women are paid less than men for performing equal work; qualified women are passed over for promotion; education of boys is prioritized over education of girls; sexual discrimination continues, and there is unequal access to women to participate in politics.

The theme for the International Women’s Day this year is “Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step it Up for Gender Equality.”

According to the UN, “International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.”

ACILA observed that although gender inequality and discrimination against women are prevalent in both developed and developing countries, the problem is entrenched in Africa.

It recalled its earlier statement on the Maputo Protocol and urged the 18 African states that have not ratified the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, to do so to demonstrate their commitment to the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women.