The Aya Institute for Women, congratulates Ghanaian women on the occasion of International Women’s Day celebrated every year on March 8. We have come far as women of all spheres and International Women’s Day provides that opportunity to celebrate our gains, reflect on our journeys as women and call for a better gender-responsive system that actually recognizes, includes, and celebrates Ghanaian women.
According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), as of March 2022, only 26.1% of all national parliamentarians globally were women which still represents a low increase compared to the UN benchmarks set at 30% female representation in decision-making positions. Ghana’s situation is no different. After the 2016 general elections, Ghana’s Parliament recorded 35 (13%) female Members of Parliament (MPs) and 240 (87%) male MPs out of the 275 MPs, while the 2020 general elections recorded 40 female MPs (14.5%) and 235 (85.4%) male MPs. According to gender research experts, with the current rate of progress, gender parity in national legislative bodies will not be achieved before 2063.
In the just-ended parliamentary primaries of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), we witnessed some female members of parliament losing their bid to their male competitors. Despite ushered into modern democracy after three decades, we are yet to make bold and intentional national laws of political inclusion by employing a gender quota system in key sectors, recognizing two things: 1) The historic imbalances against women 2) That participation in key sectors by women is both their democratic and employment rights.
This is the surest way to recognize and utilize women’s talents to the development of the country. This year’s theme of inclusion is quite significant especially as the country gears up for rigorous campaign activities. True women’s empowerment through the labour force participation of women and education is an enhancing effect of women’s empowerment on democracy. Breaking down stereotypes surrounding women’s leadership and achievements will foster the inclusion of women in Ghana.
We appeal to all political parties, ahead of the writing of their manifestos to make specific commitments on gender policy. We urge women voters to recognize their power en bloc and consider their interest by accessing the collective social policies of political parties. Women’s vote and women’s political mobilization are the key drivers for success for political parties and those contributions must be politically negotiated and rewarded.
We entreat the Ghanaian media to be gender-responsive as the country goes to the polls by producing content and panels that recognise women as integral part of society and our politics. We must avoid gender stereotyping and occasional gender spotlighting in our news reportage. Gender must be normalised and we must make a conscious effort during this electioneering period to gender audit programmes, panels and issues. The masculinised terrain and adversarial politicking and mediation must be shunned for consensus and decency.
A good and functional democracy considers women’s inclusion, a key investment a nation can make. Inclusion, therefore, makes democratic sense and our nation must strive towards it.