I'll Pursue Programmes To Promote Women's Rights

Ms Doris Addo, one of the women vying for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Women’s Organiser position, has pledged to form a consultative committee to promote the economic rights of women.

Ms Addo who made the promise when she launched her bid to contest the National Women’s Organiser position in Accra said, the committee would be made up of all women regional executive members of the party.

This, she said, is to provide the party’s womenfolk with opportunities to improve their livelihoods and develop the capacity to work effectively for the success of the party.

“Such opportunities, which should specifically target poverty reduction, would include access to the banking sector, land, technology and markets” she added.

Ms Addo said whenever women had been properly organised, they actively participated in every endeavour with the needed zeal and loyalty, and mentioned the story of Yaa Asantewaa’s organisational prowess, as well as that of Mrs Konadu Agyeman Rawlings who led the December 31 Movement.

She indicated her readiness to work towards achieving the party’s gender parity target of 40 and 60 per cent for women and men respectively.

“I have decided to contribute my bit by offering myself as leader of the women’s wing of the NDC, so as to galvanise those who continue to be politically active to encourage more women to aspire to leadership positions in the party,” she added.

Ms Addo expressed worry that although women had made strides in increasing their numbers in academia and industry, their involvement in political decision making and the legislature had not been encouraging.

She said women had not had enough opportunity to influence and contribute to redefining political priorities and place new items on the political agenda that reflected and addressed women’s concerns, values and experiences and provide new perspective on mainstream political issues.

According to Ms Addo, if given the nod, she would ensure more women were involved in party affairs.