The Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East, Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor, says there are several challenges that hinder the success of female politicians.
The first-time MP in Ghana’s Parliament indicated raising funds to run campaigns is a major challenge for female politicians, while people also look down upon them when they express interest in contesting.
She noted in the African political setting, politics is perceived to be man’s world, with people questioning what females can bring on board.
Speaking in an interview on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, she stated that there are others who also think that because you are a female, you have nothing better to offer.
But using herself as an example, she indicated she has successfully won an election based on her qualities and not because she is a female.
“Politics is perceived as a man’s world, and when you are a female, they think you have nothing useful to add. But this is me. This is a female and not just a female; a very young lady, very dynamic, who has all the great ideas to transform the Awutu Senya East constituency. I believe in all my primaries, and even in my elections, I didn’t win because I was a female. I won because of my hard work.
So it is not about the female factor. I believe that if you use that female factor, there are a lot of things you cannot achieve. You should not play that gender card and say you should be given an opportunity because you are female. In life, you need to struggle for anything that you want so that when enjoying the benefits, it would be because you struggled for it and not because you are a female.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
