Western Region: Participants at the Western Regional Dialogue on Election 2024 have called for support for women and vulnerable candidates in the December polls to enable them to engage and demand inclusive, responsive, and accountable governance.
According to Ghana News Agency, the dialogue, organised by the Network for Women’s Rights (NETRIGHT) in collaboration with Star Ghana, also addressed the issue of hate speech against women who stand for elections. Participants appealed to husbands to support their wives who have the ambition to occupy political positions. The Regional Dialogue is part of the ‘Advancing Gender Responsive Governance and Inclusive Democracy in Ghana’ project, implemented by NETRIGHT/Star Ghana, aiming to empower women, young people, and socially excluded groups to demand inclusive governance.
Ms. Beatrice Ekua Ansah Eshon, the Executive Director of Advocates and Trainers for Children and Women Advancement and Rights (ATCWAR), who hosted the programme, introduced participants to the G
ender Equality and Socially Inclusive (GESI) protocols. These protocols advocate for equality across five domains: Access, Decision-making, Participation, Systems, and Well-being, aiming to eliminate existing barriers and increase the involvement of marginalized populations.
Ms. Ansah Eshon emphasized the importance of promoting inclusive policies and increasing the influence of excluded groups, women, and the poor, stating that these issues should not be sidelined. She noted, “If the marginalized thrive, society in effect grows.”
Mr. Justice Ennin, the Western Regional Director of the National Commission for Civic Education, proposed a 50 percent waiver on filling fees for women candidates. Other participants suggested eliminating fees entirely, noting that most female candidates lack strong financial backing.