The Member of Parliament for Korle Klotey, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has renewed calls for Ghana to urgently ratify the United Nations Convention on ending violence against women, describing the move as critical to strengthening the country’s legal and institutional response to domestic and gender-based violence.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings made the call on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, while contributing to a statement delivered by the Second Deputy Majority Whip and Member of Parliament for Ada, Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe, on the rising cases of domestic violence in the country.
According to Dr Agyeman-Rawlings who is also Chairperson of the Security and Intelligence, the statement provides an opportune time for Ghana to formally commit itself to the international legal framework which is aimed at protecting women and girls from abuse and violence.
“Mister Speaker, I think this is perhaps a very opportune time to reiterate the call for Ghana to be a signatory to and ratify the UN and AU conventions on ending violence against women and girls,” she stated.
She noted that the conventions provide a comprehensive legal framework to prevent and eliminate violence, not only in conflict situations but also within domestic and community settings.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings stressed that violence against women should not be viewed solely as a gender issue but as a broader societal problem that has become dangerously normalized.
“Violence against women is not just a gender issue, it is a societal issue, and to a large extent it appears as though it has been normalized. We need to re-sensitize our population to the fact that it is not normal,” she said.
According to her, ratifying and domesticating the conventions would help put in place stronger safeguards for women, children and other vulnerable persons, while also reinforcing Ghana’s commitment to international human rights standards.
She added that beyond public education and advocacy, having binding legal frameworks was necessary to ensure accountability and effective protection within domestic settings.
Background
The United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1979, is the principal international treaty that seeks to protect the rights of women and eliminate discrimination and violence against them. It obliges state parties to take legislative, policy and institutional measures to prevent gender-based violence and ensure equal protection for women.
In Africa, the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, often associated with the Maputo Protocol, complements CEDAW by addressing violence, harmful practices and discrimination within African societies.
Although Ghana is a signatory to several international human rights instruments, advocates argue that full ratification and domestication of these specific conventions would strengthen enforcement mechanisms and enhance protection for women and girls.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings’ call adds to growing pressure on government to align Ghana’s domestic laws more closely with international frameworks in the fight against domestic and gender-based violence.
By: Christian Kpesese
