Affirmative action law will empower women in politics – Oye Lithur

Former Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Nana Oye Lithur has justified the need for an affirmative action law as that will empower women in politics.

Speaking at the maiden edition of the Progressive Organisation for Women’s Advancement (POWA) forum at the British Council in Accra on October 31, the former minister said the only way that can be achieved is to change our attitudes by creating an environment that would embrace women in politics without insults.

Mrs. Oye Lithur is saddened that in the country’s 60 years of democracy, only 35 women occupy the 275 seats in parliament and according to her the pattern will look same if we don’t change to be radical.

She indicated that “we’ve been a nation for 60 years, 275 seats only 35 women and if you look at the pattern is just the same, we are not, it’s not going to change. It will not change if we are not radical and that is why we are thinking about an affirmative action law”.

She blamed our political, socio-cultural and traditional system for being the cause of the negative perception generated about women in politics which she reiterated that the system wouldn’t change if we hope for a miracle to happen but must rather work hard on it so the affirmative action law can be adapted to develop the country as women are the game changers.

“So for me, the simple thing is that it’s our political system, is our socio-cultural and traditional context. And we will have the low numbers; work the mathematics, it will not be a miracle. The only way we can get past is to adopt an affirmative action law and for us to change our attitude and for us to create that environment that will allow a woman to say yes I want to stand”.

“And when she stands, she will not get phone calls from her family about insults. Then we can get women, experience capable competent women and we can progress and develop as a country, otherwise, it isn't going to happen”.

The POWA Forum is expected to take place in every quarter of the year as its agenda rides on.

It is a platform designed to engage persons of diverse backgrounds in a series of conversations to facilitate the development of women.

It is uniquely positioned to initiate women’s interest conversations, as a means to generate national attention on gender topical issue discussions by engaging influential, inspirational, innovative and incisive thinkers from across genders, professions and careers.

The Forum will purposely add vital ideas via various voices to advance a gender policy framework in the Country - by engaging a variety of individuals with diverse backgrounds, in discussions on issues that affect Women - so as to constructively change the consciousness of society towards women for the better.