Accra: Ghanaian media personality and gender advocate Josephine Oppong-Yeboah has called for stronger access to justice for women and girls to promote inclusive and equitable legal systems. She emphasized that many women and girls worldwide face structural barriers that limit fair and equal access to justice.
According to Ghana Web, Oppong-Yeboah highlighted the need for strengthening equitable access to legal systems to eliminate discriminatory laws, policies, and practices that hinder the growth and wellbeing of women, particularly in the Global South. She made these remarks during a media interview ahead of this year's International Women's Day celebrations on March 8.
This year's theme, 'Give to Gain,' promotes a mindset of generosity and collaboration to advance opportunities for women. Oppong-Yeboah stated that the theme underscores the power of reciprocity and collective support. She explained that when people, organizations, and communities give generously, opportunities and support for women increase, enabling them to thrive.
Oppong-Yeboah further elaborated that contributions such as donations, knowledge-sharing, resources, infrastructure, advocacy, education, training, and mentoring could help create a more supportive and interconnected environment for women's advancement. She also noted that many young women in several countries, including the United States and Ghana, face career stagnation due to workplace policies that inadvertently disadvantage women.
Citing data from Fora: Network for Change, a nonprofit focused on gender equity in the workforce, she pointed out that 93% of Canadian women and gender-marginalized workers aged 18 to 29 reported seeing no clear pathway to promotion in their workplaces. She added that women often encounter intersecting barriers to justice, including high legal costs, limited legal aid, and systemic biases.
Oppong-Yeboah concluded by saying that socioeconomic factors such as poverty, caregiving responsibilities, and geographical isolation, particularly for rural women, further restrict access to justice. Discriminatory legal frameworks, fear of retaliation, and insensitive court systems also discourage many women from reporting abuse or seeking redress.