Women in Lambussie District Empowered for Leadership: A Step Toward Gender Equality

Bridging the Gender Gap in Leadership

In the Lambussie District, thirty women recently underwent mentorship and capacity-building training designed to enhance their leadership skills. This initiative represents a significant step toward empowering women to actively participate in local governance and development processes actively, thereby addressing the long-standing gender leadership gap in the region.

A Collaborative Effort for Change

The two-day workshop was part of a larger effort led by the Upper West Regional Department of Gender, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The goal of this initiative is to bridge the gender gap in leadership roles and ensure that women have the necessary tools to participate fully in governance.

Mentorship from Established Women Leaders

The participants were mentored by experienced women leaders who shared their personal stories, including the challenges they faced and the strategies they employed to overcome them. This experience exchange was instrumental in building confidence and providing practical insights for navigating leadership roles.

The workshop also introduced the participants to Ghana’s local governance structures, human rights frameworks, and advocacy tools. This training aimed to equip the women with the knowledge needed to promote inclusion and advocate for marginalised groups, particularly women, in governance.

Addressing Gender Disparities in Leadership

Madam Charity Batuure, the Upper West Regional Director of the Department of Gender, emphasised the need for such interventions due to the persistent gender disparities in leadership. These disparities are often caused by factors such as a lack of confidence, cultural and religious constraints, and limited access to mentorship and training.

“This intervention will help enhance the capacities of women, enabling them to advocate for inclusion and full participation in governance,” said Madam Batuure. “We want to see more women taking up leadership roles and contributing to the development of society.”

Inspiring Confidence and Creating Safe Spaces

Madam Batuure also highlighted that the initiative provided a supportive platform for women to pursue their aspirations. By boosting their confidence and offering a safe space for mentorship, the workshop inspired women to see themselves as capable leaders.

“We are creating spaces for women, but they must also be equipped with the necessary skills to take up these spaces,” she added, underscoring the importance of skill-building to ensure women’s effective participation in leadership.

The Gender Disparity in Local Elections

The 2023 district-level elections reflected a significant gender disparity. While 24 women contested for assembly member positions, only four were elected, and 32 were appointed, compared to 706 men. Similarly, at the unit committee level, 64 women ran for roles against 1,833 men. These figures underscore the pressing need for more women to assume leadership roles.

Empowering Women for Future Leadership

The participants expressed deep gratitude for the mentorship and its profound impact on them. Many shared how the training had inspired them to pursue leadership positions and advocate for change in their communities.

This initiative not only fosters female leadership but also contributes to achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower women by 2030.

A Step Toward Gender Equality and Empowerment in Lambussie

The mentorship program in the Lambussie District marks a critical step in empowering women for leadership roles. By providing women with the tools, knowledge, and confidence they need, this initiative paves the way for more female leaders to rise and contribute to their communities’ development. Through these efforts, gender equality and women’s empowerment remain at the forefront of local governance and development.