NDC women demand affirmative action for elections 2008

Accra, July 22, GNA - The Women's wing of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at the weekend declared the campaign towards Elections 2008 as affirmative action for increased women representation in Parliament.

"We demand that the party should affirm its commitment to affirmative action by declaring 30 percent of its parliamentary seats for women, especially in constituencies considered as "safe seats," Mrs Ama Benyiwa-Doe NDC Women Organiser stated in Accra.

Mrs. Benyiwa-Doe, who was addressing NDC women at the end of a three-day workshop on the theme: "Enhancing the Role of Women in the Evolving Democratic Process", said the role of women in any political party was crucial to the development and sustainability of the party. Giving statistics, the NDC Women Organiser said the average proportion of women members of parliaments stands at a mere 17.2 per cent and only 19 countries in the world have achieved the goal of 30+ per cent for women's representation in parliament, a goal adopted by the Beijing Process in 1995.

She identified two important variables that, according to her affect women's political representation: the electoral system and the use of quotas for women. Combined in different ways, these variables have different results on women's participation. Mrs. Benyiwa-Doe said even though the party had made some strides in establishing more solid internal democracy, "we still need to fight for our due place."

She noted that women's would continue to systematically hold training workshops for women to address, not just internal matters, but also issues that are on the national agenda, such as economic growth, poverty and inequality.

She therefore urged the party to "develop incentives to encourage active participation by their members in campaigning towards Elections 2008 and our march to the Castle in 2009."

Mr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo NDC National Organiser noted that the party would adopt modern politicking, devoid of insults, intimidation and confrontation to convince the electorate to vote massively for the NDC. "We would win Elections 2008, in the first, based on issues, the personality of our Flag bearer, which would send the "elephant" the ruling New Patriotic Party into the bush again.

"Since the election of Professor John Evans Atta Mills last year, NPP had never known peace; they are confused and searching for any credible candidate of repute to challenge the former Vice President." He called for total support and unity from the NDC members and appealed to all those who might have been deceived to defect to other parties or join forces and come back home and be part of the wining team. 22 July 07