Article 26(2) which provides that "all cu s tomary practices which
dehumanize or are injurious to the physical and mental well-being of a
person are prohibited";
•
Article 27(1) which enjoins society, particularly employers, to accord
"special care" to mothers during a reasonable period before and after
child-birth, and to provide "working mothers" with paid leave;
The Rights of Women
•
Article 27(2) which stipulates that facilities shall be provided for the
care of children below school-going age to enable women, who have the
traditional care for children, realise their full potential"; and
•
Article 27(3) provides that "Women shall be guaranteed equal rights
to training and promotion without any impediments from any person".
The Constitution provides for the equal and equitable treatment of both
women and men. Article 17(2) of the Constitution prohibits discrimination
based on several grounds including sex. Specifically, it provides that:
"17(2) A person shall not be discriminated against on grounds of gender,
race, colour, ethnic origin, religion, creed or social or economic status."
(Emphasis added)
In a recent landmark decision in
Tettey v. Alorvor, the CHRAJ
interpreted the prohibition against gender-based discrimination in
employment as including a prohibition against sexual harassment.
Partly as a result of advocacy work undertaken in furtherance of this
provision, and partly as a result of general social development and a
noticeable enhancement in the knowledge base of our society, there has
been a remarkable progress toward redressing the acute gender
imbalances and discriminatory treatment of women.
The average life expectancy for women in Ghana is 58 years, compared to
54 years for men. For both sexes combined, the average life expectancy
is 56.
Approximately 28% of cP,rrently married women (including nearly 40% of
married women in their forties) are in polygynous unions.