Women’s involvement in media engagements low — Media Foundation

Programmes initiated by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) to monitor women’s participation in public discourse in the media  have shown that political parties have not adequately involved women in their media engagements.

It revealed that out of a total of 1,599 political party activists who featured on radio programmes monitored from June to August 2014, only 121, representing less than eight per cent, were women.

The foundation said the overall representation of women over the three-month period had generally not been impressive, adding that out of a total of 5,579 individuals who participated in radio programmes, only 1,098, representing less than 20 per cent, were women.

Panellists

It was to find solutions to these inequality that the MFWA brought together panellists at a day’s national public forum on “Media and women’s participation in public discourse in Ghana” to share their thoughts on the way forward.

The panel was made up of the Executive Director of Abantu, Dr Rose Mensah-Kutin; the National Women’s Organisers of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ms Anita De-Sosoo and Ms Otiko Djaba, respectively, the Editor of JOY FM, Mrs Dzifa Bampoh; a former Director-General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation and  running mate to the flag bearer of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) in the 2012 presidential election, Ms Eva Lokko, and the Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West, Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful.

The panellists called for a level playing field and a sanitised media landscape devoid of insults because most women tend to shy away from media discourse for fear of being run down by radio and television show hosts.

Knowledgeable women

Dr Mensah-Kutin, who led the discussion, observed that media organisations had always blamed women for shying away from media discussions but it was because they did not always invite the right women.

She said there were knowledgeable women in all areas who could make meaningful contributions in such discussions and urged the media to look out for such women.

Dr Mensah-Kutin called for the appropriate structures and mechanisms that ensured that women were targeted and encouraged to participate in public discourse, “so we are talking about the Affirmative Action Bill which is still ongoing.”

She said there was the need to train and build the capacity of women, especially that of women in the various political parties, and continuously train and give them skills “so that the confidence we have all spoken about can be assured because they have things to say.”

Affirmative Action Bill

For her part, Ms Djaba called for the passage of the Affirmative Action Bill so that the talk of 40 per cent quota for women could be actualised in all aspects of the society.

She also called for sensitisation in the society both at home and in school to let children understand that both girls and boys were equal.

Ms De-Sosoo called for the building of institutions to groom young ones who were interested in politics to equip them to be able to stand the test of time.

She suggested that if political parties really wanted to include more women in the helm of decision making, they should give a quota to women in their strongholds to contest as Members of Parliament.

Partners

Ms Lokko urged men to see women as partners and not competitors in order to push forward the development agenda of the country.

She said there was the need to look at the family laws to include the rights of boys and girls so that they would be given the same training and upbringing at home.

Mrs Bampoh urged women to make themselves available for the numerous media programmes and talk shows and advised women leaders to engage young professionals as personal assistants to monitor the sectors they were interested in.

Mrs Owusu-Ekuful called on women to take up opportunities available to make their voices heard, otherwise men would continue to dominate.

A Deputy Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Mr John Ackon, said the position of the women’s organiser in a political party was still necessary because it provided them with the opportunity to serve as mentors for the young ones. 

Writer’s Email: severious.dery@graphic.com.gh