The Performance Management Systems have been ineffective in promoting efficiency in the public service. OBJECTIVE 6: PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF WOMEN RIGHTS This objective ensures that women have a meaningful status in the country and explores the frameworks necessary to further deepen their participation in the political, economic, cultural and social affairs of the nation. 2.18 Women Rights Ghana is signatory to and has ratified the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The country also ratified the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol) without reservations, and the Optional Protocol to CEDAW. The country has passed several laws that criminalize violence against women. The Criminal Code imposes sanctions with respect to defilement, forced marriages, customary servitude (trokosi), female genital mutilation (FGM), abuse of widowhood rites and the practice of banishment of witches. Whilst there have been significant sensitivity towards gender issues, the country has not fared very well in upholding the rights of women. Women continue to face abuse and violation of their constitutional rights. The World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2011 ranked Ghana at 70 in a list of 135 countries. 2.19 National Gender Policy The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MOWAC) has initiated processes to develop a new National Gender Policy, which would provide a comprehensive Sixth Annual APRM Progress Report: January – December 2011 34