Nadowli: The Africa Centre for Human Rights and Sustainable Development (AfCHuRSD), a gender-sensitive Non-governmental Organisation, has appealed to community-level influencers to lead the advocacy for women's participation in leadership roles at all levels of society.
According to Ghana News Agency, the initiative aims to encourage women who possess the capabilities, qualifications, and competence to take up leadership roles by providing them with the necessary encouragement and support. Madam Bernice Naah, the Executive Director of AfCHuRSD, made this appeal during a capacity-building workshop held in Nadowli. The workshop aimed to empower community-level influencers to advocate for female leadership within their communities.
The workshop, which included traditional leaders, Assembly Members, teachers, and media personnel from the Nadowli-Kaleo, Jirapa, Daffiama-Bussie-Issa, and Wa West Districts, also aimed to sensitize participants to the Affirmative Action and Gender Equity Act, 2024 (Act 1121). This initiative is part of the Girls and Women's Economic Empowerment, Livelihoods and Participation in Leadership (GWEEL) project, organized by AfCHuRSD in partnership with Equity, Opportunities and Development Fund (EODF) In Action.
The GWEEL project, funded by the Equal Opportunity Fund Ghana, Netherlands, is a 12-month initiative implemented in 20 communities across the four districts. It is designed to be inclusive and gender-responsive, promoting women's and girls' participation in leadership while ensuring the protection of their fundamental human rights, including economic, social, and cultural rights, and protection from Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV).
Madam Naah emphasized the importance of identifying capable women who are interested in leadership roles and encouraging them to pursue such opportunities. She also advocated for women to enhance their academic qualifications to better compete with their male counterparts for leadership positions. She highlighted the low number of female applicants for District Chief Executive positions in the region, urging more women to express interest in such roles.
Professor Robert Yennah, Chairperson of EODF In Action, stated that his organization aims to empower women and girls to contribute meaningfully to both community and national development. He encouraged women and girls to be confident and assertive in leadership roles.
Madam Janet Kpan, Upper West Regional Gender Officer at the Ghana Education Service, highlighted the leadership qualities necessary for women and girls, emphasizing proactivity, supportiveness, and problem-solving skills. She encouraged women not to be deterred by challenges in their pursuit of leadership roles.
Participants at the workshop developed action plans to advance the project's goals within their communities. Women Assembly Members and aspirants shared experiences of contesting for positions, noting challenges such as alleged sabotage during the nomination process, which some attribute to gender bias.
