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Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency Lydia Seyram Alhassan has called on political parties in Ghana to consider the implementation of an effective quota system that will protect women parliamentarians.
She said the system must at the same time create opportunities for more women to enter Parliament.
Addressing the House with a statement to mark International Women’s Day 2023, Madam Seyram Alhassan, who is also the First Deputy Majority Whip, said her advocacy for a quota system is not in any way to suggest that women should be handed parliamentary seats on a silver platter.
“However, in the face of the obvious challenges that crowd out women from the political space, a quota system that upholds the principles of competence and meritocracy will go a long way to increase women participation not only Parliament but the entire governance processes of the country,” she stated on Friday, March 10.
She expressed worry about Ghana’s “largely insignificant” contribution to the global proportion of women in Parliament.
The International Parliamentary Union (IPU) has projected the proportion of women in Parliament to hit 30 percent by 2030 across the globe. In its latest report, the Union said the proportion has increased from 0.6 percent to 26.1 percent.
“Currently, the proportion of women in parliament in Ghana stands at around 14.5%, a figure far below the IPU set target of 30% by 2030,” the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP said.
“If we are to make progress in this regard, we must at all cost, remove barriers such as the sexist political culture and the gendered economic inequality that continue to define our politics.”
She lauded efforts by the current administration to empower women and girls.
Other women parliamentarians like Dr Zanetor Rawlings and Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah added to the call.
They further called for the passing of the Affirmative Action Bill.
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