Accra: Female representation in Parliament remains at just 14.9%, far below the 30% target set under the Affirmative Action Law, the Member of Parliament for La Dade Kotopon, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah has lamented. Speaking in an interview on TV3, she noted the slow progress despite the law's passage in 2024 aimed at boosting women's participation in governance.
According to Ghana Web, the Affirmative Action Law, passed in 2024, set a goal of achieving 30% female representation in Parliament by 2026. Sowah highlighted that the current representation of 14.9% is insufficient. She pointed out ongoing efforts to encourage women to engage in politics but acknowledged that reluctance remains a significant barrier.
Sowah emphasized that women often hesitate to enter politics, suggesting it is partly their responsibility but also a leadership issue. "It's partly their problem, but leadership also has a responsibility to see how best we can support and bring them up," she remarked.
Furthermore, Sowah expressed concern over the limited number of women in Parliament, noting that while women hold prominent positions in various organizations, they are underrepresented in parliamentary administrative executive roles. "When you look at chief executives in various organisations, most of them are women. But when it comes to administrative executive roles in Parliament, we have only 28 women," she observed.
The Affirmative Action (Gender Equity Bill), signed into law in 2024 by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, aims to enhance women's participation across all societal sectors, including politics, economy, education, and social life, while addressing gender inequality.