A stakeholders’ engagement has been held to review and assess protective measures for vulnerable groups to ensure that gender-sensitive and inclusive principles are upheld in this year’s elections.
The engagement was also aimed at ensuring that this year’s elections are inclusive, accessible, and peaceful for all citizens, particularly women, the youth, and other marginalized groups.
The event, themed “Regional Stakeholders’ Dialogue on Election 2024”, was attended by representatives of political parties, youth groups including persons with disabilities, the Electoral Commission, among others.
It was organized by the Network for Women’s Rights in Ghana, in collaboration with the Savannah Women Integrated Development Agency (SWIDA-Ghana), Norsaac, and other NGO partners, ad part of the broader goals of the Advancing Gender Responsive Governance and Inclusive Democracy in Ghana project.
The project is being implemented in partnership with STAR-Ghana Foundation, and supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Speaking during the dialogue in Tamale, the Executive Director of SWIDA-Ghana, Hajia Alima Sagito-Saeed said that it was important that the elections were inclusive, to further consolidate the country’s democracy.
She however added that inclusiveness could only be achieved if support for effective participation is given to marginalized groups, women, and young people, by aiding them choose leaders, without any form of discrimination and abuse.
Deputy Northern Regional Director for the Electoral Commission, Madam Fatima Luriwie Kanton gave the assurance that measures have been put in place to ensure no voter is disenfranchised.
For his part, the northern regional Secretary of the Convention People’s Party, Mr. Hamza Haruna Kaasankomi indicated that his party was gender-sensitive, as he expressed the party’s readiness to promote peace before, during and after the elections.
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