In 2024, Ghana made history with the election of its first female Vice President, following the landmark passage of the Affirmative Action Law in July of the same year. The legislation mandates a minimum of 30% female representation in decision-making roles by 2026, with an ambitious goal of achieving full gender parity by 2034.
However, one year on, the promise of progress remains largely unfulfilled. A new study by the Gender Centre for Empowerment and Development (GenCED) has revealed persistent—and in some cases worsening—barriers to women’s political participation.
The research shows that 9 out of 10 women involved in politics have experienced some form of violence, with 46.7% reporting verbal abuse, largely perpetrated via social media, particularly WhatsApp.
“These findings highlight the forms, nature and impact of the violence women face in political spaces,” the report states, “and document how these experiences undermine their political aspirations, limit representation, and perpetuate gender inequality.”
At the launch of the report, GenCED Programmes Manager Regina Borley Bortey explained the link between online spaces and abuse:
“We see that access to social media platforms, while increasing political engagement, also opens the door to amplified abuse. That’s why verbal abuse appears to be the most common—political communication now often happens on platforms like WhatsApp, where this kind of behavior thrives.”
Other forms of violence reported included:
Psychological violence: 13.3%
Emotional abuse: 3.7%
Sexual violence: 3.3%
Miss Bortey cautioned that the low figure for sexual violence should not be misinterpreted.
“This is a very sensitive research topic, and due to stigma, very few respondents were willing to speak openly. So, while 3.3% is what we captured, the reality is likely much higher.”
The study also traced the root causes of the violence to entrenched gender norms, patriarchal power dynamics, and political gatekeeping. Notably, 30% of respondents cited gender stereotypes as a primary driver.
“In political parties, power dynamics manifest in leadership structures—who controls the resources, who makes the decisions. These systems often sideline women,” Miss Bortey noted.
Meanwhile stakeholders are urging the government and political parties to take deliberate steps to promote female representation and protect women in politics.
Sheila Minkah-Premo, Convenor of the Affirmative Action Law Coalition, emphasized the need to finalize and implement the Legislative Instrument (L.I.) that supports the main law:
“We must support the ongoing drafting process. The L.I. includes key mechanisms that will make the law effective. Without it, implementation will stall. We also need resources—and constitutional reforms—to give real force to gender quotas in political parties.”
Lawyer Minkah-Premo stressed that women must not be sidelined in party primaries and elections, or Ghana risks falling short of its own legal and moral commitments.
As the 2026 target for 30% female representation draws closer, pressure is mounting on political leaders to move beyond symbolism and deliver meaningful structural change.
Story by Elikplim Awuku
