Duapa Mothers Union calls for women inclusion, social equity in governance structures

From Emmanuel Adu GYAMFI

Duapa Mothers Union (DMU), a Non – Governmental Organisation (NGO) based in Kwame Danso in the Sene West District of the Bono East Region, has called for women inclusion and social equity in the governance structures in the region.

The NGO is a women focused group with a vision to seeing an inclusive society that enables all women and girls to enjoy their full potentials.

With support from Star Ghana Foundation, the Association hopes to contribute to the development of women and girls by representing and championing their interest; especially for females with disabilities and mental health conditions.

A press release issued and signed by Mr Collins Duah, Project Manager for the Association at Atebubu in the Bono East region said the call is as a result of disparity in representation of females especially women with disabilities in the local governance processes in the District.

Mr Duah said the situation does not promote a fair society and that, District Chief Executives (DCEs), traditional leaders, religious leaders, civil society groups and all political party leaderships must initiate a proper action to bridge this gab.

“Duapa Mothers Union is devastated with the current situation in the Sene West District where out of a total of 20 elected Assembly members currently in Sene West District, there is no Woman among them,” he indicated.

Unfortunately, the Project Manager added, only 2 women were included out of 10 government appointees.

Mr Duah said the sad aspect of the matter is that, no woman with disability has been appointed or elected to serve in the General Assembly.

He pointed out that out of a total of 100 elected Unit Committee members within 20 electoral areas in the Sene West District, only one  is woman.

“Only 25 out of 208 people, representing 12% serving on Town Development committees are women, and unfortunately none of them is a Woman with disability” the release noted.

The Project Manager attributed the situation to existing myths and misconceptions associated with women’s ability to lead in the district especially women with disabilities.

He indicated that community stigma is physically demonstrated by the use of negative words for women in politics especially those with disabilities such as women who recovered from mental health conditions, with obvious disregard for their sentiments.

In churches and other religious spaces, Mr Duah bemoaned how sermons project women as second class people that cannot lead and disability as a curse or punishment.

“The stigma extends to dependents of women in politics and caregivers of women with disabilities and mental health conditions.

“We are entreating all Community leaders to create a culture of support at community levels that provide equal opportunities for women to take active part in the upcoming District Assembly elections” the release added.

The Project Manager called on families and men to support women’s agenda and their passion to serve their communities irrespective of their conditions or disability.

The Association also encouraged females especially women with disabilities to rise up, participate and change the social narratives surrounding women participation in governance.

The Association believes that, gender, physical and mental conditions should not be a challenge for women to enjoy their full potentials saying “we are empowering Women, Changing Lives”.