The Relationship Between Negative Gender Stereotypes & Women’s Participation in Politics: A Case of Tamale Metropolis in the Northern Region of Ghana.

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between negative gender stereotypes and women’s political participation, the case of women politicians within the Tamale Metropolis, located in the Northern region of Ghana. After successfully interviewing five (5) women politicians within Tamale Metropolis in order to explore the experiences of female politicians within the Tamale Metropolis in terms of gender stereotypes and to examine the effects of gender stereotypes on the participation of female politicians within the Tamale Metropolis, the study concluded that negative gender stereotypes is manifest within the politics of Tamale. The topmost stereotype and prejudice included the marital status of women politicians which were largely spearheaded by supporters of male contenders. Also, the study found out that financial capability was a very influential factor on the success of women candidates.