The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) on Saturday set in motion efforts to galvanise stakeholder support, to develop a manual on strategies and guidelines to increase the number of women elected to parliament in 2012.
The Political Parties Manual on Women in Politics in Ghana seeks to advocate that women’s participation in governance can be facilitated by strengthening their representation and candidature in the election process.
Mrs Chris Dadzie, Member of IEA Constitution Review Coalition made this known at an IEA workshop on the manual at Aburi in the Eastern Region.
The manual is being developed by the IEA, a
think-tank in collaboration with the National Democratic Congress (NDC), New Patriotic Party (NPP), Convention Peoples Party (CPP) and the Peoples National Convention (PNC).
She noted that under-representation of women in decision-making in Ghana must be treated as a national concern, devoid of political colour and personal interest.
Mrs Dadzie asked the political parties to demonstrate their commitment to the affirmative action for the promotion of Ghanaian women’s participation in governance.
She said the manual also sought to signal gender advocacy and the stance and commitment of political parties with representation in parliament on women’s participation in governance.
This, she said would portray a common message to the electorate.
“We seek to send a message which transcends political divisions and… unify all Ghanaian political parties in the cause of ensuring that women’s right to participate in governance are realised soon.
“The women’s manual will represent our rationale for increasing and strengthening women’s representation in our political party structures and election processes,” Mrs Dadzie stated.
She revealed that an additional problem encountered by women aspirants was that most of them who were elected to parliament, did not have the confidence to be able to stand their own against their male counterparts.
“As a result they are not able to effectively articulate the concerns, needs and priorities of their constituents and of women especially in ways that will make an impact in the legislature and on legislation affecting women.
“We are of the firm conviction that if the leadership of political parties adopts this collaborative strategy- manual, we would see an increase in the number of women represented in our next parliament,” she said.
Mrs Esi Johnson, the workshop facilitator noted that since every political party in the country sought to win political power to form a government, they must all demonstrate their commitment to adhere to international, regional and national treaties to the cause of ensuring equal participation of all sexes in governance.
“All political parties must declare and demonstrate their commitment in the design of their policies, manifestos and mechanisms for party members’ candidature in parliamentary and national elections.
“They must do this in readiness for equal participation of both sexes in governance, should they attain political power,” Mrs Johnson added.
Leadership of the various political parties are expected to adopt and signed at a later date the Political Parties Manual on Women in Politics in Ghana.
Representatives of NDC, NPP, CPP and PNC who have representation in parliament, as well as media practitioners, female members of parliament, aspiring parliamentarians and educationists are attending the three- day workshop.