The UPSA Law School, in collaboration with the Justice Revived Foundation (JRF), on Thursday, 21 May 2026, convened the WomenPowered Global Conference 2026 to advance conversations on the protection, dignity and empowerment of women and children. The conference, held at the University of Professional Studies, Accra, brought together judges, legal practitioners, policymakers, mental health professionals, gender advocates, civil society organisations and students.
Held under the theme, “Securing True Empowerment: Advancing Law, Health and Economic Justice for the Protection and Dignity of Women and Children,” the conference examined how legal protection, healthcare, mental health support, digital safety and economic empowerment can be strengthened to safeguard vulnerable persons.
Delivering the welcome address on behalf of the Dean of the UPSA Law School, the Vice-Dean, Dr Francisca Kusi-Appiah, described the conference as a call to move from silence to collective action. She stressed that the law must serve as a shield for vulnerable persons, while drawing attention to affirmative action, workplace dignity, digital empowerment, mental health support and the recognition of unpaid domestic labour.
The Special Guest of Honour, Hon. Betty Mould-Iddrisu, Member of the Council of State and former Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, reflected on the progress made in advancing women’s rights in Ghana and across Africa. She noted, however, that women and children continue to face sexual harassment, domestic violence, child abuse and economic inequality. She called for stronger enforcement of existing laws, including the Domestic Violence Act, and urged institutions such as DOVVSU to intensify support for survivors.
Her Ladyship Justice Mrs Priscilla Dapaah-Mireku, Justice of the High Court of Ghana, underscored the need to make justice systems more accessible and responsive. She noted that constitutional rights must move beyond written guarantees and translate into practical protection for survivors of abuse.
Justice Dapaah-Mireku also called for safer learning environments, stronger economic empowerment for women and greater attention to digital safety. She raised concern about cyberbullying, online blackmail, impersonation and other forms of digital abuse, calling for stronger cybercrime enforcement and sustained digital literacy education.
Other speakers, including Marian Karina Nanorki Darlington, Esq.; Ms Doreen Raheena Sulleyman, President of the Targeted Rights Initiative; Dr Angela Dwamena-Aboagye, Executive Director of the Ark Foundation; and Mr Francis Yeboah of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, addressed financial independence, online safety, survivor-centred support systems and the mental health effects of abuse.
A major highlight of the conference was the launch of the JRF WomenPowered Survivor Support Fund by Mrs Janice Tiwah Oware, Esq., Founder and Executive Director of the Justice Revived Foundation. The fund will provide legal aid, mental health support, emergency assistance, rehabilitation, skills training and economic empowerment opportunities for abused and vulnerable women and children.
The conference ended with a call for stronger collaboration among public institutions, the legal community, healthcare professionals, civil society, families and communities to protect the dignity, safety and future of women and children.
