EC/International IDEA takes gender-based violence in elections to another level
Gender-Based Violence (GBV) has become a pervasive issue in Ghana, affecting various aspects of life, including elections.
The menace of GBV in elections undermines the democratic process, silencing the voices of women and girls who are crucial stakeholders in shaping the country's future.
Workshop
To help address the situation, International IDEA, together with the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana, has organised a two-day workshop on ‘Gender-Based Discrimination and Violence in Electoral Processes’ for 30 selected participants made up of EC officials, political party representatives and civil society organisation (CSOs), including women’s rights organisations, disability inclusion organisations and youth-focused groups, academics, political party representatives and members of the media.
A Senior Advisor, International IDEA, Olufunto Akinduro, said the causes of GBV in elections were complex and multifaceted.
She mentioned some of the key causes to include patriarchal norms, stereotypes and deep-seated cultural attitudes that view women as inferior to men, limiting their roles in politics and decision-making.
The workshop, she said, would help the EC and political parties, together with other stakeholders, address the issue so that it would not be repeated in the next elections.
According to her, the timing of the workshop was apt for Ghana as it would give stakeholders ample time to act on recommendations before the next elections.
A representative from the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP), Melomi Asibi, who is the Director of the Domestic Violence and Victims Secretariat, said, “GBV was very, very discriminatory and especially when we are talking about elections.”
She said that without the participation of women in elections and in leadership, the country cannot move forward in development, assuring that the ministry was working with the relevant bodies to help address these abuses.
Safeguard
A Commission Member, EC, Reverend Dr Akua Ofori-Boateng said, “We are here to safeguard the rights of every woman, to stand for office without fear or intimidation, to work as an election official, and to vote, without obstruction.
“Today, Ghana's democracy is strong. We have held several peaceful transitions that are the envy of many.
However, when over half of our population faces barriers to full political engagement, our democracy operates at a deficit.
We diminish our collective potential, not only morally, but intellectually, socially and politically,” she added.
A Deputy Director, Electoral Services/Head of Gender, Youth and Disability, Abigail Amponsah Nutakor, said the workshop would help the EC to better handle cases of electoral violence meted out against its female officials, as well as female politicians and the vulnerable in society.
She said it would help the EC to come out with policies that would protect women and the vulnerable better during elections.
A Gender Expert from GenCED, Esther Tawiah, in a presentation on “Gender equality, women’s participation and representation, violence against women in elections in Ghana”, identified the lack of effective enforcement inadequate implementation of laws and policies designed to protect women from violence and harassment, poverty, unemployment and limited access to education and economic opportunities were some of the factors that could exacerbate GBV.
She called for stricter enforcement of laws against perpetrators so as to deter people from acts of violence against women and the vulnerable during elections.
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