The Aya Institute is set to host its quadrennial electioneering initiative, Ghana Decides Gender Watch (GDGW) 2024, an advocacy and research project focused on tracking and spotlighting gender dynamics during the upcoming general elections. This flagship program aims to examine the role of women in the political process. The first episode of the initiative is slated for Saturday, October 5, 2024, with a post-election analysis scheduled for December 14, 2024.
A statement from Aya Institute said the initiative will among others track and research key gender dynamics leading up to the 2024 elections, with a central feature being the Gender Watch Podcast.
“The main highlight of GDGW 2024, is the ‘Gender Watch Podcast’, hosting twelve episodes
with gender scholars and activists engaging in conversations on inclusion and democracy, media representation, GESI analysis of manifestos of political parties, and women and political office in Ghana. ‘GDGW’ will host representatives of political parties for an hour of conversation, on plans for Ghanaian women. There are engaging segments such as ‘GenStats’, a ten-minute presentation of statistically rendered research by scholars and ‘Vox Populi’, a five-minute curated voice on the views of citizens.”
Citing statistics from the 2024 World Economic Forum, which estimates it will take 95 years to close the global political gender gap, the Aya Institute underscores the importance of addressing the low levels of gender consciousness that hinder women’s political participation, both in Ghana and globally.
“‘GDGW’ 2024, seeks to bridge the gap, as the country enters the season of rigorous election campaigns by promoting gender-sensitive content. ‘GDGW’ is providing the platform for Ghanaian women, and those with their interests at heart to engage with political information and make decisive voting choices on December 7, 2024.”
The initiative also aligns with the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance, which calls for regular, free, fair, and transparent elections in African states.
“In so doing, African countries are encouraged to take steps to ensure that all of their citizens have a meaningful political voice, encompassing the freedoms and practice of active engagement in public and political life as voters, citizens and participants in
political processes. All these have been captured in conversations on the ‘Gender Watch
Podcast’”.
Despite a female majority in Ghana’s population and voter register, significant political representation of women has remained elusive after three decades of democracy.
Since 2016, the Aya Institute has run Ghana Decides Gender Watch, monitoring elections through research into voting patterns, providing governance participation training for women, particularly at the grassroots level, and empowering women to engage more actively in politics.
By: Ekow Annan/newsalertgh.com
