The Vice Chairperson of Parliament’s Gender Committee, Hajia Zuwera Mohammed Ibrahimah, has called for a change in the perception that women should not be at the forefront of politics.

This notion, she said, was wrong and had to be discarded.

Hajia Ibrahimiah, who is also the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Salaga South in the Savannah Region, said this in an interview with the Daily Graphic at a workshop for female MPs in the Ninth Parliament at Ada in the Greater Accra Region.

The workshop organised by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and its partners on the Affirmative Action Act was to empower female lawmakers to understand the technical aspects of the Affirmative Action Act.

Hajia Ibrahimah emphasised that women in politics were not a threat to their male counterparts, but rather aim to support national development.

"We are not a threat to our male counterparts in politics.

We are only there to support the development of this country. We need to be allowed to join the political space.

We are not taking over the space, but we are supporting and contributing to the space, “she said.

Challenges

The Salaga South MP stated that women parliamentarians faced significant challenges, including intimidation, verbal attacks, and name-calling, particularly during elections.

She, however, urged her female colleagues to focus on meaningful contributions to parliamentary discussions, devoid of partisanship, to prove their capabilities and change the perception that women should not lead in politics.

The MP also revealed that the 40 female MPs in the Ninth Parliament plan to collaborate with the Gender Ministry, development partners, and other stakeholders to interpret and promote the benefits of women's leadership in Ghanaian society.

Role model

The Vice Chair of Parliament's Gender Committee highlighted the significant responsibilities that come with being a female parliamentarian and stressed the importance of conducting oneself in a manner that promotes sustainability in Parliament as a role model.

The MP for Salaga South shared her personal experience, noting that she is the first female MP in her constituency since the Fourth Republic. As the only female MP in the Savannah Region, she felt a huge responsibility to be a good legislator, focusing on meaningful contributions to parliamentary discussions that promoted national development.

"I try to walk a path to be a good legislator. I don't do too much partisan politics on the floor of the House, because for any issue or motion that comes on the floor of Parliament, I look at what it is meant for, especially if it is for the development of the country then I contribute meaningfully and accordingly to the discussion,” Hajia Ibrahimah said.