Investigating the Factors Contributing to Low Participation of Women in Ghanaian Politics: A Study of Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency

Abstract

This study investigates factors contributing to low women's political participation in Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency, Ghana, aiming to identify socio-cultural, economic, perceptual, and institutional barriers while proposing strategies for enhanced representation. Adopting a qualitative case study design grounded in Feminist Political Theory, Patriarchal Theory, and Participation Theory, the research targeted a population of female political aspirants, elected officials, party representatives, and community stakeholders (131 participants selected via purposive and simple random sampling). Data were gathered through in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed using hybrid inductive-deductive thematic techniques supported by NVivo 12 software, enabling systematic coding, pattern identification, and theoretical validation. Key findings reveal four interconnected barriers: (1) entrenched patriarchal norms and childhood gender role socialization that position politics as a male domain, fostering internalized reluctance among women; (2) prohibitive economic constraints from high campaign costs (logistics, advertising, mobilization) and limited access to elite financial networks, despite the constituency's educated demographic; (3) personal and societal stereotypes portraying women as emotionally unfit for leadership, compounded by fears of reputational damage, violence, and scrutiny that erode confidence; and (4) institutional gate-keeping by political parties through inconsistent candidate support, biased selection processes, and unequal resource allocation.

The study recommends: (1) mandatory gender quotas enforced by government and the Electoral Commission in party structures and candidacies, with penalties like withheld public funding and media airtime for non-compliance to ensure substantive representation; and (2) integrated multilevel interventions including NCCE-led civic education to challenge stereotypes, party/educational institution mentorship programs, dedicated women-focused financing mechanisms, internal party reforms for equitable resources, and gender-sensitive media coverage to simultaneously address cultural, economic, psychological, and structural obstacles.