PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN THE LOCAL GOVERNANCE: KWAHU SOUTH DISTRICT

ABSTRACT

Ghana as a nation has made moves to make governance structures accessible to all through decentralization. This is believed to speed development both at the national and local level notably district. Mainly, decentralization aimed at having men and women equally participate in the local governance structures and processes. But gender representation has not seen the much sought equality of men and women in these structures. Over the years, there has been a male dominance in terms of number. This study sought to investigate about the representation of women in the local governance structures in the Kwahu South District. To reach this objective, a case study looked at issues on gender equality, traced out the trends on women‟s participation, challenges faced by women, looked at institutional and stakeholders‟ support of women, and proposed some remedies to these hindrances. The study revealed that though a quota system reserving 30 percent of the District Assembly membership to women is in place, this has not secured the much sought equal representation in the local governance structures. Since the creation of the district in 1998, the percentage of women elected and appointed has not gone beyond the quota mentioned above. Again, the trends of women represented though showing an increase has not seen women‟s presence crossing 10 percent in the assembly, its subcommittees and unit committees. Among other remedies, the study proposed an intensive education of women on developmental issues and how crucial their role is. Also, policy makers are summoned to integrate women‟s concerns and gender parity in the developmental goals of the district.