Re-organise school curricula to include gender studies – female advocates

Some leading advocates for gender equity in the country are suggesting the deliberate re-organisation of school curricula to include the study of gender and its related issues especially at the tertiary levels of education.

The National Women's Organiser of the ruling NDC, Anita de Susooo, the NPP's Parliamentary Candidate for Adenta, Frances Assiam and the West Africa Regional Director for ABANTU for Development, Dr. Rose Mensah-Kutin who were guests on Multi TV's current affairs programme, pm: EXPRESS, unanimously indicated that though several gains have been made particularly with attempts at attaining equity, balance and fairness among the sexes, the status quo still favoured men more than women.

In 1992, there were 16 women in the 200-member Parliament. The number rose to 18 women in 1996, and then to 19 by the year 2000 and by 2004, there were 24 women MPs in the 230-member Parliament.

But whiles many have criticised women for unnecessarily abusing the affirmative action plan, the inculcation of gender equity ideals in the minds of young females has also come into question.

“Gender equality is not working well in the country. We need to change the perception of men. By doing this we need to train the women in the tertiary institutions. It is not easy for a lady to be in politics”, said Anita de Susooo.

According to her, the NDC has started training young women at the tertiary level to enter politics. She also indicated that with support from institutions such as the Institute of Economic Affairs and ABANTU, six women from each party are undergoing training for a period of 10 months every year to build their capacity and confidence as well as prepare them to debate policies and programs of government.

Frances Assiam on the other hand said “the whole campaign has re-oriented the entire spectrum of the Ghanaian woman and today, many are conscious about what it takes to at least compete with our male colleagues”.

ABANTU for Development boss, Dr. Mensah-Kutin who joined the discussion via phone was worried “society has been structured in a way that prioritises the masculine way of doing things”.