Accra, June 28, GNA - Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Local Government and Rural Development Minister, on Tuesday charged district assemblies to undertake activities that promote the well being and advancement of women i= n their localities.

"The Ministry of Local Government recognizes the critical role local government can play in promoting equal opportunities for the participation of all sections of the population in democracy development and governance= " he said. Speaking on the floor of Parliament during questions time, Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said his Ministry recognized and support the nation's commitment to women's advancement, women's rights and gender mainstream= ing for sustained development.

He said under the Social Agenda of the new decentralization policy framework launched in December 2010, it was recognized that sufficient systems support must be provided to ensure the growth and participation of women alongside men in the local governance and development.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said the policy measures included gender responsive planning and budgeting at the district level with the appropriate capacity building supports and promoting women participation in local governance through critical mass of women in the assembly administration. He said the Ministry had implemented exciting interventions in relatio= n to gender and women rights in the past citing the Department of Community Development and Parks and Gardens as having useful income generating suppor= t programmes for women groups and skill building for women. "The participation of the women in local governance elections must b= e placed in context and all other interventions that will promote gender equitable sustainable development must be pursued vigorously," he said.