Two NGOs call for review of electoral laws

Bolgatanga, Dec. 19, GNA - Two Gender Advocacy Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), have called on the government to review the electoral laws to ensure that women made up 40 per cent of the candidates presented by political parties for the parliamentary slot.

The NGOs are the Centre for Sustainable Development Initiatives (CENSUDI) and Network for Women's Rights (NETRIGHT) both operating in the Upper East Region.

Ms Dorothy Aawulenaa, a field officer working with CENSUDI, made the call on behalf of the two bodies on Friday when she presented a Paper on the topic; "Political Status of Women in the Upper East Region," at a three day capacity building workshop.

The workshop was organized by the two NGOs on the theme; "Women's Rights and Promotion".

Ms Aawulenaa explained that if the electoral laws were amended to create 40 per cent room for women, it would pave way for them to be fairly represented in the democratic dispensation of the country. She called on political parties to make room for women to become visible in their Inter-party Advisory Committee (IPAC) activities to build their confidence.

Ms Aawulenaa urged political parties to set up a database of their women members who had the potential of holding political office. She emphasized that the voice of women in decision-making in Ghana was low due to the fact that they were often disproportionately represented in governance at both the local and national levels.

Ms Aawulenaa stated that there was the need for Civil Society Organizations to support, build and strengthen the capacities of women to run political office and help them to deliver.

Citing the 2008 election as an example, the field officer observed that out of the 49 women from the three northern regions who contested the Parliamentary seat, only two were elected as parliamentarians. She stated that out of the nine districts in the region, only one woman was appointed as District Chief Executive and said the situation was not different at the national level.

Ms Aawulenaa said three out of the 23 Council of State members were women, four out of the 19 Cabinet Ministers were women, one out of the 10 Regional Ministers was a woman and that there were only 20 women as Members of Parliament out of the 230.

Mr Samuel Akarikiya, an official of CENSUDI, in a welcome address, said the workshop was to build the capacity of women in the region who would be contesting for the 2010 District Assembly election. He said it would help them to strategize affectively during their campaigns to enable them to win the elections. The workshop, attended by 50 women from Civil Society Organizations and selected women groups in the region, discussed topics including; "Political Status of Women in Upper East," "Role of Northern Women in the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA)," "Impact of Global Financial Crisis on Women," Ghanaian Women Manifestoes," "National Policies on Women and Public Speaking" and "Communication Skills". 19 Dec. 09