Do not give up the struggle, Feminists urge Ghanaian women

Accra, May 4, GNA - Speakers at the launch of a training manual for District Assembly women and leaders on Tuesday urged participants to defy all odds that hamper their effective role in decision making and leadership. They contended that there would always be discouragement and spear campaigns but that should not deter them from aspiring to the top and places that would better the lot of women.

The manual launched by Action Aid, an International Non Governmental Organisation, was to serve as a training a manual for women aspiring to take up position in decision making and women's empowers. To those who lose elections and leadership position, they asked them not to quit but keeping trying until they achieve their desires to empower women and make their voices heard.

"There was the need to build capacity, develop constituencies, learn from others, and nurture one's ambition in addition to a strong conviction in visions and aspirations."

Speaking on the topic: "Women in politics: celebrations and strategies", Ms. Beatrice B. Boateng, MP for New Juaben South, said the saying that politics is not cut for women can not be justified. She noted that despite the barrier created by society, those who defy the odds to realise their dreams were hailed because of the honour they bring to the families, community, constituencies and that nation. The Juaben South MP said though quotas were one of the ways of getting women into public office, it was imperative for women to fight for what they believe in to make them stand tall.

The constitution of Ghana, she said, was male friendly and charged women to take up positions or support those who choose to stand for election and help amend the constitution and make it gender balanced. Madam Susanna Keelson-Aikins said when men want to go into politics, they inform their spouses but women have to ask for permission and noted that women must learn to negotiate and win the confidence of their families. She also urged them to yearn for more knowledge, be resilient and prayerful, build confidence, improve on strengths and work on their weakness.

Madam Edith Akpoka, Presiding Member of Hohoe Municipal Assembly, who spoke on the "Price of Leadership", said some women need to pay the price and brace the trail for others to follow and noted that the price could be dear but there was the need to defy all impediments that people may put in their way.

She said there was the need to eschew favouritism and treat all equally in order to get people to help themselves and society. She emphasised the need to make one's immediate family and community share in their vision and aspiration because "it is only when they share in them that they can support you to victory." According to the Country Director of ActionAid, Ms. Adwoa Kwateng-Kluvitse, the manual was to help increase women participation in politics, increase their knowledge and self confidence, strengthen their power to participate and change the perception that women could not hold public office. "It was against this background that the manual was also expected to effectively and efficiently enhance their advocacy skills, negotiation skills, public speaking and fund raising to help their chances of getting elected."