Gabby calls into question NPP women's commitment to gender parity

General News on Thursday, June 6, 2019

Source: citinewsroom.com

2019-06-06

While President Nana Akufo-Addo is criticized for having called for more dynamism for women in the search for parity, New Patriotic Party (NPP) defender Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko blamed the commitment. women of her party to promote the fortune of women in politics.

Otchere-Darko recalled the treatment of Hajia Alima Mahama, the first choice of President Akufo-Addo as a candidate for vice presidency prior to the 2008 elections.

At the beginning of 2008, Nana Akufo-Addo, presidential candidate of the NPP, suggested to her party's leadership that her first choice as vice presidential candidate was the Minister of Women, Hajia Alima Mahama, the biggest opposition. organized by two powerful women. groups: (1) women's caucus in Parliament (2) women party organizers.

Mr Otchere-Darko described the experience as "extremely discouraging and scary".

The president also urged the NPP to "aggressively ensure that women are selected for winning seats" before the 2016 elections.

"But other pressing issues within the party at the time have derailed this important breakthrough," said Otchere-Darko.

President Akufo-Addo comments on the role of women in improving gender parity in governance at the 2019 Women Deliver Conference in Canada has angered Ghanaian feminists who say it has the capacity to bring Changes.

"We do not see enough dynamism and activism on the part of those who seek. I talk about dynamism where it counts. I am talking about electing people to Parliament, controlling political parties because they are the instruments by which our societies make decisions, "he said.

Ghanaian feminists and women's rights advocates said the president's comments erase the work that activists are doing to improve women's lives.

The president did not know who was to open the door to women so that they could seize political power in a political space dominated by men.

Dr. Alaa Murabit, UN High Commissioner for Health, Employment and Economic Growth, questioned the President on the active steps he was taking to ensure gender equality.

With regard to women in politics, there are currently 38 women legislators in the Ghanaian Parliament.

In addition, 19% of those appointed by the President are women.

The Ghanaian Parliament is still far from the 30% set by the United Nations for the representation of women.

Ghana has made some marginal progress lately, with the 2016 election increasing the number of women elected from 30, representing 10.9% in 2012, to 37, or 13.5%.

In 2000, women's representation in Parliament was 9.5%, 10.8% in 2004 and 9.3% in 2006.

The UN noted that in June 2016, only 22.8% of national parliamentarians were women, a slow increase from 11.3% in 1995.

In June 2017, only two countries had at least 50% women in parliament: Rwanda (61.3%) and Bolivia (53.1%).

The UN also notes that in January 2017, only 18.3% of ministers were women.

The portfolios most commonly held by women ministers are environment, natural resources and energy, followed by social sectors such as social affairs, education and family.