Gender in political parties

Ghana's 2016 general elections

Bibliographic Data

ID5725293
AuthorsBertha Z Osei-Hwedie (Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, Accra, Ghana), Bertha Z Osei‐hwedie (Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, corresponding author), Kingsley S Agomor (0000-0003-2906-6671, Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, Accra, Ghana)
Year2018
Volume25
Issue3
Pages393-411
Publication date2018-07-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueSouth African Journal of International Affairs (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1022-0461 • E-ISSN: 1938-0275
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10220461.2018.1526110
OpenAlexW2896394005
LanguageEN
Citations received2

Political parties are key institutions for enhancing female participation and representation in leadership positions. However, in Ghana, this role of parties has not taken root. The purpose of the study is to analyse women's participation and presentation in party leadership structures, and as candidates in the 2016 parliamentary elections. Qualitative methodology was used. Findings suggest that the gender gap has not been substantially reduced in Ghana's two dominant political parties, the National Democratic Congress and New Patriotic Party. This situation undermines enhancement of democracy. The gender gap is caused by the parties’ lack of political will, patronage politics and culture. These hinder the promotion of gender equity. Thus, gender is not an important determinant in selection of candidates and distribution of power and influence. The parties and the women's associations need to be pro-active and strategise to promote gender equity

Democracy · Gender equity · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Gender Politics and Representation · Gender Studies · Law · Public Administration

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