‘Give more attention to women’s concerns’
Convenors of the Women’s Manifesto, a political document highlighting critical concerns of women in Ghana, are demanding more work to be done to ensure gender equality.
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The Deputy Convenor of the Manifesto Planning Committee, Mrs Adwoa Bame, who made the call at a ceremony to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the launch of the Manifesto in Accra yesterday, said women’s representation on policy- making platforms such as parliament, was still not encouraging and required more attention from all stakeholders.
The celebration had the theme: “Enhancing Women’s Voices in Policy Spaces, ” and aimed at offering members of the Women’s Manifesto Coalition (WMC) the platform to reflect on how far the state had come in meeting the demands outlined in the manifesto.
The manifesto was initiated by ABANTU for Development, a non-governmental organisation and developed by the WMC.
Achievements
Mrs Bame said the manifesto represented women’s concerns about the insufficient attention given to critical issues affecting their well-being, including the under-representation of women in politics, policy and decision-making levels, and in public life generally.
She also said the manifesto provided a robust and credible agenda for political parties, development partners and other interested parties.
According to her, the manifesto had over the years encouraged some grassroot women to get involved in policy making. Some of those women who are members of the district assemblies confirmed how after being exposed to the manifesto, they were motivated to take up political leadership.
Mrs Bame also said it enabled women to articulate their concerns during the 2004 elections and beyond.
The document contains a number of demands which are the basis of women’s concerns. These demands centre, among others, on women’s economic empowerment; women and land; women in politics and decision making.
The others are: Women, human rights and the law; women and discriminatory cultural practices; women and the media; women, conflict and peace; women with special needs; and institutions with the mandate to promote women’s rights.
Writer’s email doreen.andoh@graphic.com.gh