Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Conference opens next week

The Women’s Caucus in Parliament will host the Second Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Conference of the West African Region in Accra as part of efforts to increase women’s visibility in politics.

The conference, to be held from November 27 to 30, 2011 is under the theme “Increasing Women’s Participation in Politics in Commonwealth West Africa – the Role of Political Parties.”

Mr Cletus Avoka, Majority Leader, made the announcement during the presentation of the Business Statement for next week on the floor of Parliament.

He said the conference will basically discuss issues of increasing women’s participation in national and international politics.

“It will also take cognizance of the role that political parties can play in ensuring increased representation of women in positions of power and decision-making in Africa and beyond”, he added.

Meanwhile, as part of the work schedule for next week, Members of Parliament will begin debate on the 2012 Economic Policy of government and also adopt a report on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Optional Protocol.

The purpose of the Convention is to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities.

Since it came into force, 106 countries have ratified the Convention and  63, the Optional Protocol respectively.

The Optional Protocol to the Convention is a side agreement to the Convention which allows parties to recognize the competence of a Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to consider complaints from individuals and state parties.

By Eunice Menka