Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ACCRA2443
2007-11-27 12:59:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Accra
Cable title:
GHANAIAN WOMEN - 50 YEARS OF PROGRESS BUT A LONG WAY TO GO
VZCZCXRO6674 PP RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHAR #2443/01 3311259 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 271259Z NOV 07 FM AMEMBASSY ACCRA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5743 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ACCRA 002443
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KWMN SOCI ECON GH
SUBJECT: GHANAIAN WOMEN - 50 YEARS OF PROGRESS BUT A LONG WAY TO GO
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ACCRA 002443
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KWMN SOCI ECON GH
SUBJECT: GHANAIAN WOMEN - 50 YEARS OF PROGRESS BUT A LONG WAY TO GO
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Representing more than half the population,
Ghanaian women have contributed substantially to Ghana's development
since independence. Aside from their critical role in Ghana's
economy, women participate in the public sphere, taking on leading
positions in politics and civil society. However, various obstacles
impede women's full contribution to Ghana's development: exclusion
from national processes, under-representation in public life and
decision-making, and limited access to economic assets. To fully
achieve the substantial returns in investing in women will require
Ghana to develop and implement a sustained approach to eliminating
gender inequalities. END SUMMARY.
A HISTORICAL LOOK AT WOMEN IN POLITICS
--------------
2. (SBU) Ghana's ethnic, socio-economic, religious, and regional
diversity means that women's position and status vary significantly
depending on their community. However, on the whole, the number of
women in high-level political positions has historically been low.
In 1966, ten women were appointed to Parliament by President Kwame
Nkrumah, although a coup d'etat prevented them from serving their
terms. From 1972 to 1974, two of he 140 members of Parliament were
women and in 1979-1981 a total of five women were elected to
Parliament. Furthermore, only one woman has ever run for vice
president in 1996 and there have been no female presidential
candidates. Women have not held top positions in the nation's main
political parties and traditionally have been poorly represented in
male-dominated professions such as science and law.
WOMEN IN GOVERNMENT TODAY
--------------
3. (SBU) Recently, Ghanaian women have made strides in the public
sector. In addition to holding several high-level positions as
ministers and deputy ministers, women serve as district assembly
members and judges. The first female director of Ghana Immigration
Services, Elizabeth Adjei, was appointed in 2002. In 2007, Georgina
Wood was appointed the first female Chief Justice, assuming the
fourth highest position in Ghana's state hierarchy. Other women in
leading positions include the Acting Commissioner of CHRAJ, Anna
Bossman, and the Deputy Inspector-General of the Police, Elizabeth
Mills-Robertson.
4. (SBU) Despite some progress in the public sector, activists feel
that the presence of women remains limited and, according to Angela
Dwamena-Aboagye, still has an air of "tokenism". While
representation of women in Parliament has increased from 0% at
independence in 1957 to 11% in 2007, the current number of women in
Parliament is only 25 of 230 seats. Activists argue that this
number remains unacceptably low and note that only few women hold
top political positions in Ghana.
5. (U) In Ghana's current government, there are only three women out
of 24 members of the Council of State, the body which advises the
President, ministers and Parliament on the performance of their
duties. Only seven out of 28 ministers are women, and there are
only three female members of the cabinet and 12 deputy ministers.
Furthermore, only about 10% of the district chief executives, the
highest-level official with administrative and executive
responsibilities at the district level, are women. Ghanaian women's
rights activists contend that the patriarchal nature of Ghanaian
politics, lack of financial resources, and stereotypes of women as
weak leaders, make it challenging for a female candidate to launch a
successful campaign.
WOMEN'S CONTRIBUTIONS IN ECONOMY AND CIVIL SOCIETY
-------------- --------------
6. (SBU) Notwithstanding Ghanaian women's limited presence in
politics, they continue to be critical players in Ghana's informal
economy. Women are indispensable to the three sectors that account
for most of Ghana's gross domestic product (GDP): agriculture,
industry, and services. In addition to being key actors in Ghana's
food production, women have traditionally dominated the nursing,
teaching and secretarial fields. In recent times, they have entered
into professions historically dominated by men, including law,
medicine, and engineering. [NOTE: Women's role in Ghana's economic
development will be reported septel. END NOTE]
7. (SBU) Ghanaian women have also become influential civil society
leaders, heading many non-governmental organizations and serving as
advocates for women's and children's rights and welfare. The
Regional Coordinator of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative,
Nana Oye Lithur, demonstrated leadership in pushing for a
controversial marital rape clause in Ghana's domestic violence
legislation, which specifically makes marital rape illegal. Ms.
Lithur also helped to establish the Police Service's Domestic
Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) in 1998.
EFFORTS TO ADDRESS WOMEN'S NEEDS
--------------
ACCRA 00002443 002 OF 002
8. (SBU) In addition, Ghana has witnessed several recent
institutional and legal developments that are focused on women's
concerns and needs. In 2006, the Ministry of Women and Children's
Affairs, itself headed by a female Cabinet Minister, launched a
400,000 Ghana Cedi (USD 425,000) fund to support campaigning and
other activities of women in local governance. After many years of
pressuring lawmakers, gender activists succeeded in having the
Domestic Violence Act passed in 2007, a key instrument which
supplements existing legal protections enjoyed by women. In
addition, gender desk officers have been established in most
ministries, government departments and agencies as well as in the
138 district assemblies.
FURTHER PROGRESS NEEDED
--------------
9. (SBU) Overall, female activists believe progress has been slow
and limited, and contend that gender equality is not broadly
accepted as a development priority in the country. By working
primarily in the informal sector (particularly the lower echelons),
women are victims of highly unstable remuneration, low returns and
lack of social security benefits. As a result, many Ghanaian women
continue to live in poverty and other vulnerable conditions.
Furthermore, many potentially successful female entrepreneurs
continue to be constrained by cultural, economic and educational
barriers.
10. (SBU) Moreover, the progress made in developing institutions and
laws that protect women's and children's rights has been hampered by
a lack of resources and ineffective implementation. The Ministry of
Women and Children's Affairs, like other entities focused on women's
issues, suffers from insufficient financial and human resources.
While the government adopted an Affirmative Action Policy in 1998
mandating a 40% quota for women's representation in all government
bodies, this has not yet been achieved.
11. (SBU) Finally, stereotypes and tradition at home relegate many
women to customary roles with limited decision making power and
resources. According to Jane Quaye, women's social obligations as
caretakers significantly restrict their time and freedom outside of
home. Harmful traditional practices such as early forced marriages,
female genital mutilation, and gender based violence also perpetuate
women's subordinate status. In short, women's rights activists agree
that Ghana has "a long way to go."
A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR GHANA
--------------
12. (SBU) COMMENT: Despite the progress Ghanaian women have made in
many areas, continuing gender inequalities have a negative impact on
Ghana's development. In the words of Nana Oye Lithur, the role of
women in Ghana's development "is improving but has been very, very
slow and needs to be jumpstarted." To overcome the challenges will
require policies that proactively empower women to participate in
the economy and politics. This will also require socio-cultural
changes to give women equal decision-making power within traditional
communities, the public sphere, and at home. END COMMENT
BRIDGEWATER
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KWMN SOCI ECON GH
SUBJECT: GHANAIAN WOMEN - 50 YEARS OF PROGRESS BUT A LONG WAY TO GO
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Representing more than half the population,
Ghanaian women have contributed substantially to Ghana's development
since independence. Aside from their critical role in Ghana's
economy, women participate in the public sphere, taking on leading
positions in politics and civil society. However, various obstacles
impede women's full contribution to Ghana's development: exclusion
from national processes, under-representation in public life and
decision-making, and limited access to economic assets. To fully
achieve the substantial returns in investing in women will require
Ghana to develop and implement a sustained approach to eliminating
gender inequalities. END SUMMARY.
A HISTORICAL LOOK AT WOMEN IN POLITICS
--------------
2. (SBU) Ghana's ethnic, socio-economic, religious, and regional
diversity means that women's position and status vary significantly
depending on their community. However, on the whole, the number of
women in high-level political positions has historically been low.
In 1966, ten women were appointed to Parliament by President Kwame
Nkrumah, although a coup d'etat prevented them from serving their
terms. From 1972 to 1974, two of he 140 members of Parliament were
women and in 1979-1981 a total of five women were elected to
Parliament. Furthermore, only one woman has ever run for vice
president in 1996 and there have been no female presidential
candidates. Women have not held top positions in the nation's main
political parties and traditionally have been poorly represented in
male-dominated professions such as science and law.
WOMEN IN GOVERNMENT TODAY
--------------
3. (SBU) Recently, Ghanaian women have made strides in the public
sector. In addition to holding several high-level positions as
ministers and deputy ministers, women serve as district assembly
members and judges. The first female director of Ghana Immigration
Services, Elizabeth Adjei, was appointed in 2002. In 2007, Georgina
Wood was appointed the first female Chief Justice, assuming the
fourth highest position in Ghana's state hierarchy. Other women in
leading positions include the Acting Commissioner of CHRAJ, Anna
Bossman, and the Deputy Inspector-General of the Police, Elizabeth
Mills-Robertson.
4. (SBU) Despite some progress in the public sector, activists feel
that the presence of women remains limited and, according to Angela
Dwamena-Aboagye, still has an air of "tokenism". While
representation of women in Parliament has increased from 0% at
independence in 1957 to 11% in 2007, the current number of women in
Parliament is only 25 of 230 seats. Activists argue that this
number remains unacceptably low and note that only few women hold
top political positions in Ghana.
5. (U) In Ghana's current government, there are only three women out
of 24 members of the Council of State, the body which advises the
President, ministers and Parliament on the performance of their
duties. Only seven out of 28 ministers are women, and there are
only three female members of the cabinet and 12 deputy ministers.
Furthermore, only about 10% of the district chief executives, the
highest-level official with administrative and executive
responsibilities at the district level, are women. Ghanaian women's
rights activists contend that the patriarchal nature of Ghanaian
politics, lack of financial resources, and stereotypes of women as
weak leaders, make it challenging for a female candidate to launch a
successful campaign.
WOMEN'S CONTRIBUTIONS IN ECONOMY AND CIVIL SOCIETY
-------------- --------------
6. (SBU) Notwithstanding Ghanaian women's limited presence in
politics, they continue to be critical players in Ghana's informal
economy. Women are indispensable to the three sectors that account
for most of Ghana's gross domestic product (GDP): agriculture,
industry, and services. In addition to being key actors in Ghana's
food production, women have traditionally dominated the nursing,
teaching and secretarial fields. In recent times, they have entered
into professions historically dominated by men, including law,
medicine, and engineering. [NOTE: Women's role in Ghana's economic
development will be reported septel. END NOTE]
7. (SBU) Ghanaian women have also become influential civil society
leaders, heading many non-governmental organizations and serving as
advocates for women's and children's rights and welfare. The
Regional Coordinator of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative,
Nana Oye Lithur, demonstrated leadership in pushing for a
controversial marital rape clause in Ghana's domestic violence
legislation, which specifically makes marital rape illegal. Ms.
Lithur also helped to establish the Police Service's Domestic
Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) in 1998.
EFFORTS TO ADDRESS WOMEN'S NEEDS
--------------
ACCRA 00002443 002 OF 002
8. (SBU) In addition, Ghana has witnessed several recent
institutional and legal developments that are focused on women's
concerns and needs. In 2006, the Ministry of Women and Children's
Affairs, itself headed by a female Cabinet Minister, launched a
400,000 Ghana Cedi (USD 425,000) fund to support campaigning and
other activities of women in local governance. After many years of
pressuring lawmakers, gender activists succeeded in having the
Domestic Violence Act passed in 2007, a key instrument which
supplements existing legal protections enjoyed by women. In
addition, gender desk officers have been established in most
ministries, government departments and agencies as well as in the
138 district assemblies.
FURTHER PROGRESS NEEDED
--------------
9. (SBU) Overall, female activists believe progress has been slow
and limited, and contend that gender equality is not broadly
accepted as a development priority in the country. By working
primarily in the informal sector (particularly the lower echelons),
women are victims of highly unstable remuneration, low returns and
lack of social security benefits. As a result, many Ghanaian women
continue to live in poverty and other vulnerable conditions.
Furthermore, many potentially successful female entrepreneurs
continue to be constrained by cultural, economic and educational
barriers.
10. (SBU) Moreover, the progress made in developing institutions and
laws that protect women's and children's rights has been hampered by
a lack of resources and ineffective implementation. The Ministry of
Women and Children's Affairs, like other entities focused on women's
issues, suffers from insufficient financial and human resources.
While the government adopted an Affirmative Action Policy in 1998
mandating a 40% quota for women's representation in all government
bodies, this has not yet been achieved.
11. (SBU) Finally, stereotypes and tradition at home relegate many
women to customary roles with limited decision making power and
resources. According to Jane Quaye, women's social obligations as
caretakers significantly restrict their time and freedom outside of
home. Harmful traditional practices such as early forced marriages,
female genital mutilation, and gender based violence also perpetuate
women's subordinate status. In short, women's rights activists agree
that Ghana has "a long way to go."
A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR GHANA
--------------
12. (SBU) COMMENT: Despite the progress Ghanaian women have made in
many areas, continuing gender inequalities have a negative impact on
Ghana's development. In the words of Nana Oye Lithur, the role of
women in Ghana's development "is improving but has been very, very
slow and needs to be jumpstarted." To overcome the challenges will
require policies that proactively empower women to participate in
the economy and politics. This will also require socio-cultural
changes to give women equal decision-making power within traditional
communities, the public sphere, and at home. END COMMENT
BRIDGEWATER