CHRAJ urges Parliament to pass Domestic Violence Bill

Accra, March 7, GNA - The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has reiterated its call on Parliament to formulate an appropriate legislative response to domestic violence by passing the Domestic Violence Bill into law to protect the rights of victims of domestic violence.

The call was contained in a press release signed by Mr Emile Francis Short, Commissioner of the CHRAJ on the occasion of this year's celebration of International Women's Day, which falls on Monday, March 8.

The Commission urged Women to participate actively in local and national politics and also urged political parties to take concrete steps to put up more women as candidates in this year's Presidential and Parliamentary elections to realise a greater representation of women in Parliament and in executive positions in the country.

"The active involvement of women in elected political office in the country, will change patterns of stereotypic conduct and also help to eliminate negative practices affecting women.

"It will also free up locked up potentials of the nation and contribute further to socio-economic and political growth."

The Commission noted the unceasing efforts to enhance the principles of equality and non-discrimination in public and private spheres, but said Ghana still had a long way to go in advancing women's rights. Fifty-two per cent of the Ghanaian population are women.

The Commission commended the women for their continued industry and invaluable contributions to the development of the nation. While commending the Ministry of Education for putting in place measures to achieve parity in boys and girls enrolment and completion at the basic level, the Commission urged Ghanaians, especially parents to eliminate obstacles that prevented children, mostly girls from enrolling and staying in school.

Available statistics indicate that approximately 80 per cent of boys are completing primary school, compared to 68 per cent of girls. It is further estimated that 65 per cent of boys are completing Junior Secondary School as against 53 per cent of girls. "In the northern sector, the situation is worse as an estimated 26 per cent of girls complete senior secondary school compared to 42 per cent of boys.

The Commission urged the Government to redouble its efforts at ensuring access to free primary education for all children, to achieve the development goal target of the 189 member states of the United Nations Organisation by 2015.