Women and Politics: Constraints of Female Politicians in the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal Assembly in the Greater Accra Region

Type Thesis or Dissertation - Master of Philosophy
Title Women and Politics: Constraints of Female Politicians in the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal Assembly in the Greater Accra Region
Author(s)
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2013
Abstract
The main concern of this study was to synthesize information pertaining to women’s active participation in politics at the grass root level (local level politics). Though women are said to be slightly more than men in Ghana, yet, women are underrepresented in decision-making processes. The study therefore sought to find out why women hardly participate in national politics. The objectives of this study were to identify what makes women to be interested in politics at the grass root level and why women, who are eligible, are uninterested in participating in national politics. The study identified the constraints and the mechanisms that are available in Ghana to promote and inspire women to avail themselves for national political participation. The instruments used for data collection were interview, focus group discussion and observation guides. Information derived from these instruments was analyzed in themes in accordance with the research questions. The sample for the study was thirty women who were actively participating in Ghanaian politics. Nine women were purposively selected from the NDC and NPP in the Ledzokuku-Krowor municipality for interview. The municipality was purposively sampled and the accidental sampling was used to identify the women. The findings indicated that female politicians at the grass root faced constraints due to their role as mothers and wives. Such constraints are insecurity, low level of education, young parenthood, low self-esteem, lack of financial support, lack of support from political parties, competition from male competitors, migration, low media attention, lack of employment and bribing eligible voters. The study recommended that political parties should be compelled to provide forty percent women candidates for election and must organize periodic educational seminars and support them financially to encourage women participate in national politics. A quota system should be adopted to select women for parliamentary election.

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