Women march for their rights

Accra, April 25, GNA - Political parties in Ghana have been asked to spearhead the 'women manifesto', compiled by gender activists, to ensure the full participation of women in active politics. Ms Ekua Ansah-Eshon, Chief Executive Officer of Advocates and Trainers for Women's Welfare Advancement and Rights (ATWWAR) a non-governmental organisation made the call on Wednesday. " If they refuse to come for the women's manifesto and make it an integral part of their manifestoes women would indeed advice themselves come election 2008"

Speaking at the end of an historic march of women to celebrate Ghana's 50 years of women's contributions to the political and socio-economic development of Ghana, Ms Ansah-Eshon said since pre-colonial days, women have contributed immensely towards national development but their efforts had not been recognised by the state. She said development is not about structures and infrastructures but about the human race particularly women of that nation, adding, "any institution which does not see this and design policies that make human system go waste must not be supported".

Madam Dzodzi Tsikata, member of the Network for Women's Right in Ghana (NETRIGH) said though the march was to commemorate Ghana's independence, women @ 50 was not Ghana @ 50 since they have not been given more room to operate.

She said it was about time the nation officially recognised the role women played before and after independence to deepen democracy and ensure equality among citizens of the country.

Madam Tsikata called on government to ensure that women who struggled for independence had their monument displayed all over the country just as those of men in Ghana to encourage them to do more. Mrs Jane Quaye, Executive Director of FIDA noted that the value of women since independence had always been the same adding " we all have the right to go high on the political ladder to ensure that policies that have women at heart are designed and implemented in the country". Nana Oye-Lithur, African Regional Coordinator of Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative called on the President to give accent to the Domestic Violence Bill before the conference of African Charter of Human Rights Cession begins in May this year.

She said as the Chairman of the African Union, it was prudent for him to do so before other African countries realise that his country had problems with human rights and gender equity laws since laws on violence against women had not been given the accent.

Nana Oye Lithur also expressed worry about the low participation of women in the political arena and called on government to include more women in the cabinet to promote gender equality and encourage them to engage in politics.