ABANTU for Development Launches Project to Empower Women in Ghana
ABANTU for Development, in collaboration with the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), has initiated a project aimed at empowering women in Ghana through the project titled “Strengthening Activism for a Gender-Responsive Elections 2024 in Ghana.”
Empowering Women in Politics
As part of this project, ABANTU is engaging with women who ran for parliamentary seats in the 2024 elections but were not successful. The objective is to reflect on their experiences, identify obstacles, and devise strategies for ongoing support and capacity building. Additionally, the initiative seeks to foster solidarity among female leaders from different political parties.
Recognition for Women Leaders
Dr. Rose Mensah-Kutin, the Executive Director of ABANTU, emphasized the importance of acknowledging all women who participate in elections, regardless of the outcome. She highlighted that out of 119 women who contested in the 2024 parliamentary elections, 78 did not secure seats.
Despite the passage of the Affirmative Action Law in 2024, Dr. Mensah-Kutin noted that its delayed implementation hindered its impact on the elections. Therefore, platforms like this project are crucial for advancing women’s political engagement.
Encouraging Resilience
Former Minister Hon. Dakoa Newman commended the resilience of women candidates and urged them not to view electoral defeat as the end of their political journey. She highlighted the need to address barriers such as gender-based political violence and inadequate funding to encourage more women to participate in politics.
Call for Action
The Coordinator of the Affirmative Action Law Coalition, Becky Ahadzi, called for the full implementation of the Affirmative Action Gender Equity Act to enhance women’s representation in governance. She emphasized the importance of accountability and enforcement to ensure the success of the law.
By empowering women in politics and advocating for gender equality, ABANTU for Development and its partners are working towards a more inclusive and representative political landscape in Ghana.
Source: Isaac Kofi Dzokpo/newsghana.com.gh
