Media urged to encourage women participation in governance

The Deputy Commissioner of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mrs Georgina Opoku Amankwaah has urged the media to promote the cause of women especially those who want to be voted into governance.

She said the low representation of women in all spheres of national affairs is worrying, adding that many things militate against those who want to come to the limelight.

Mrs Opoku Amankwaah said the media must therefore support and promote the few to encourage others.

The Deputy Commissioner was addressing a capacity building workshop organised by the n (EC) with funding from USAID, for journalists in the Eastern Region for the upcoming District Level and Unit Committee Elections.

She said in spite of efforts to get women into governance and higher positions, low women representation still remains a challenge.

Mrs Opoku-Amankwah, said the media have a critical role in getting more women into politics and leadership positions by promoting and protecting their interests.

She explained that most women in the African region have been socialised in a way that they cannot withstand the pressure and acrimony in politics especially in positions that require campaigning and voting “and that is where you the media can make a concerted effort to protect and promote the women”.

The Deputy Commissioner emphasised that, women empowerment is a tool for national development especially high representation of them at the local level of governance.

Out of the 2,600 candidates contesting for the district Assembly elections in the Region, only 157 are women.