Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy

NIMD's partner in Ghana, the Institute for Economic Affairs (IEA), recently hosted a forum entitled ""Strengthening Women's Rights and Gender Equity: Towards a Gender Responsive Constitution."

As reported by Mohammed Suleman on the AllAfrica.com website:

National Women organizers of the four political parties with representation in Parliament have proposed that the constitution be amended to guarantee at least 30% of Parliamentary seats, assembly members, board members as well as intake into tertiary institutions to women.

However, "we must admit that in the current scheme of things, this provision may not help women unless the political party's law is also amended to compel parties to select women for at least 30% of the seats they contest. Adequate safeguards must also be put in place to ensure that 30% of seats in a party's strongholds are reserved for women."

Read more about the positions of each of the parties represented at the Forum by reading the full text of the article online.