“Come together to present a united front.” — Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, Clerk of Parliament of Ghana
Building gender-responsive parliaments is not the work of one country alone. Under the Inclusive Legislatures for Gender-Responsive Policies (ILGRP) Project, implemented by the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA) and the Parliamentary Centre, with funding from Global Affairs Canada, that conviction became a regional commitment.
The Problem
Despite national-level progress in Ghana, Kenya, and Togo, gender equality commitments within parliamentary institutions often remain aspirational, present in policy but absent from HR systems, operational planning, and workplace culture.
The Intervention
The ILGRP Regional Forum was convened in Togo under the theme: ‘Strengthening Gender Responsive Parliaments through Strategic and Operational Planning, Inclusive Human Resource Policies, and Management Practices: Lessons from Ghana, Kenya, and Togo.’ The forum brought together parliamentarians, parliamentary staff, civil society organisations, and partners from all three countries, as well as comparative perspectives from Canada and the National Assembly of Québec. The Parliament of Togo co-hosted, alongside ACEPA and the Parliamentary Centre, with funding from Global Affairs Canada.
The Change
Country delegations presented progress updates. MPs from Ghana, Kenya, and Togo discussed how to translate gender equality commitments into binding institutional frameworks. A Civil Society Panel provided external accountability perspectives, ensuring that the conversation was grounded in community realities, not just institutional intent.
By: Benedicta Naa Odarkor Ablateye
