Ensure gender equality (GHWAE0002)

Commitment ID

GHWAE0002

Commitment Title

Ensure gender equality

Problem

Traditionally, men are the heads of families and as such take the major decisions in the family. Women take up the household chores and the keeping of the home. In the aspect of property ownership, both men and women own properties in the municipality but properties such as land are mostly owned by men. There is also a noticeable gender differentiation in relation to poverty; men are given priority for support to agriculture, non-farming activities, and other alternative employment. Men take up high investments whilst women are involved in subsistence agriculture.

In the aspect of decision-making, women’s voices are seldom heard in either making the laws or influencing the way laws are implemented. In political life, women are underrepresented as political candidates at all levels.

Regarding education in the municipality, one of the most persistent issues is the gender gap in access to education, which favors girls as a result of illegal mining activities in which boys are engaged.

Women dominate the private informal sector when it comes to occupation. They engage in activities such as food processing, textile and garment production, handicrafts, and retail trade in food items and clothing. In addition, women are at risk of being marginalized by men whenever female-dominated areas of work become more economically profitable.

Status quo

The Municipality has been benefitting from the implementation of social protection interventions such as the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP), Capitation Grant, and the Livelihood Empowerment against Poverty and Production Inclusive.

Action

This commitment entails the co-creation of gender-based initiatives and programs that will give a level playing field to all the vulnerable groups such as women, people with disability, etc to also actively take part in the decision-making process of the Assembly. It also seeks to empower and build the capacity of women to also take a leadership positions in the municipality.

Expected Results:
1. Women empowered to actively take part in decision-making.
2. Local Affirmative Action Policy designed to give women opportunities in leadership positions.
3. Women economically empowered through skills training and capacity building.

How will the commitment contribute to solving the public problem described above?

In order to enhance the effective participation of women in the governance and decision-making process of the municipality, this commitment will serve as a guide to ensure gender equality and gender-responsive and rights-based sustainable development in the governance processes including the areas of planning, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation of projects and programs of the Municipal Assembly. This specific commitment is also geared towards building the economic capacities of women in the municipality and reduce gender-based violence through advocacies and sensitization.

Expected Outputs:
1. Broad stakeholders forum on gender base violence and related issues.
2. Capacity building of women groups on economic empowerment.

Expected Outcomes:
1. Enhanced women's participation in governance.
2. Women, economically empowered.
3. Reduced gender-based violence in the municipality.

What long-term goal as identified in your Open Government Strategy does this commitment relate to?

Our long-term objective of ensuring equal rights of citizens' participation in the governance process irrespective of location, sex, and status is in relation to this commitment.

The Municipal Authority is poised to provide the needed support and opportunities to encourage more women who have been left behind in the decision-making process to be actively involved in issues that affect their own lives. The commitment will also enhance the civil rights of women and the vulnerable in society through education.

Primary Policy Area

Civic Space, Inclusion, Other/NA

Primary Sector

Cross-sectoral, Education

What OGP value is this commitment relevant to?