Gender, vulnerability and the politics of decision-making in Ghana: The case of the Upper East Region

Affirmative Action as a Strategy for Promoting Women’s Participation in Politics in the Frafra Traditional Area of Ghana

“…How then, could she occupy a position outside the home?''. This means a woman should have no other responsibilities outside the home (Apusigah, 2004). If she does, such must be related to the keeping of the home, such as gathering water and firewood, helping the husband on the farm and going to the market among others.…”

“…However, a major challenge is the apparent contrast between modern advocacy for gender equity, and socio-cultural antecedents that offer women no better place than the kitchen (Apusigah, 2004). For instance, of the 45,113 parliamentarians in the world in 2015, women constituted only 22.5% compared to 77.5% of men, with Nordic countries having 41.1% as the highest representation of women (Regional Parliamentary Assemblies, 2015).…”

“…Apusigah (2004), reports that even in matters that concern the lives of women in a family, they get to know of it only when the elders have already concluded. The system of inheritance is also patrilineal, in which only males inherit family property such as land.…”

“…The woman's place is the kitchen, child bearing and upbringing, caring for the sick and aged, and extending hospitality to strangers who visit the family and other reproductive roles (Zuul, 2011). This social orientation at the family level has been so effective that even fellow women would scold a woman who appears to be too vocal at community meetings where major decisions are made with both men and women present (Apusigah, 2004). This situation tends to affect women's motivation to participate in community and national level politics (Bari, 2005).…”

Civil Society Activism and the Ghanaian National Reconciliation Commission: The case of the Civil Society Coalition on National Reconciliation

“…84 country from the informal household/family level to the formal national policy making level. 86 Even though this was designed to give confidence to female victims to come forward and petition the Commission and also discuss their problems with Commissioners and counsellors, it was also in tune with the United Nations Security Council resolution 1325 and related resolutions 87 which called for an "increased women representation and participation in decision making processes that are aimed at preventing, managing and resolving conflicts." 88 However, the mere inclusion of women as Commissioners in the NRC does not necessarily guarantee that women's grievances would be addressed.…”