Gender Ministry, UNFPA discuss national response to kayayei challenges and gender-based violence

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection is working with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), to strengthen efforts to address the challenges facing head porters, popularly known as kayayei, and improve the national response to gender-based violence.

The two institutions discussed these priorities when the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, received a UNFPA Ghana delegation led by its Country Representative, Dr. Wilfred Ochan.

A key issue was the proposed development of a National Framework to address the challenges associated with the kayayei phenomenon and migrant labour.

Dr. Lartey stressed the need to understand the underlying factors pushing women to migrate to major urban centres, noting that interventions must go beyond immediate assistance to address the conditions that expose them to vulnerability.

She called for coordinated and sustainable measures to protect women engaged in head porterage and improve their welfare.

The meeting also reviewed progress towards the proposed framework, including background research, technical consultations and engagements with stakeholders. These processes are expected to ensure that the final framework reflects reliable evidence and the lived experiences of affected communities.

Preparations for the 2026 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign also featured prominently in the discussions.

Both teams highlighted the need for stronger stakeholder participation and better coordination of activities to promote a unified national response to gender-based violence.

The UNFPA delegation welcomed the Ministry's proposed programme of activities and recommended a national stakeholder engagement involving development partners. The platform would allow partners to share their planned interventions, identify areas requiring support and coordinate their contributions to the campaign.

The discussions further explored opportunities to extend regional cooperation against gender-based violence, particularly in the transport and trade sectors.

Both institutions emphasised the importance of stronger cross-border partnerships among countries in the sub region to address exploitation and abuse, especially along major trade and transport routes.

Dr. Lartey reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to working closely with UNFPA and other development partners to advance policies and programmes that promote gender equality, strengthen social protection and improve the welfare of vulnerable groups.

Both parties agreed to sustain their engagement and collaboration to advance the issues discussed.