Along the second half of 2007, the Brazilian Ministry of Social Development and Fight Against Hunger undertook three technical missions to Ghana to give assistance to the newest and most significant Social Protection Programme in Ghana: the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP).

Between Local and Global: How Civil Society Networks Enable a Two-Way Process Glasgow, Scotland, Saturday 21 June 2008 Workshop 1 Room: Carron 1 Time: 14.30-16.00.

21 May 2008 –Fifteen countries from around the world have been elected to serve on the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) for three-year terms starting next month after one round of balloting today among Member States at UN Headquarters in New York.

by Bernice Sam

In this article, the author describes the entire electoral process in most African countries as being biased against women, despite all the rights guaranteed in law in these countries. She argues that in addition to resource limitations, political life in Africa is organised according to male norms and values making it difficult for women to enter. As a result, women are used as mere mobilisers and campaigners during elections, rather than being given more challenging leadership roles. She describes as ‘political tokenism’, the thinking that the existence of women’s wings of political parties is enough to address the needs of women. She concludes by challenging women who seek to enter politics to build their own capacities, and calls on donors to assist. EG

by Mawuli Dake 

Summary & Comment by: Africa Files

The 2008 elections in Ghana will significantly exclude women. This article highlights choices Ghanaians have and asks what can and must do to ensure fair and reasonable participation and representation of all. The author argues that societies are not committed to democracy and equality as long as some groups are marginalized and women are not included in politics at all levels. DN