A curious decision by Gender Ministry
Tomorrow, March 8, Ghana marks International Women’s Day (IWD) 2014 under the local theme: ‘Equality for women is progress for all through total inclusion’, and I’m trying to reconcile the theme with our Gender Ministry’s recent replacement of its woman representative on the National Media Commission (NMC) with a man.
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On January 21, the new member nominated by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection was sworn in to join the National Media Commission (NMC).
Ordinarily, this is not a news item that should excite more than a passing interest except for the fact that the new member chosen by the ministry is a man and, secondly, he is replacing a woman. The newcomer, Ernest Benjamin Kakra Essamuah, has replaced Patience Opoku.
Viewed against the UN’s global theme of ‘Equality for women is progress for all’, I find it even harder to understand the rationale for the decision by the Gender Minister, Nana Oye Lithur.
The complementary themes have fuelled the disbelief I experienced over the news of the newest member of the NMC and I’m still puzzled; even confused.
Or, is the “total inclusion” in the local theme a reference to the inclusion of men? Have I been mistaken all these years in thinking that gender activism also seeks to increase women’s institutional representation?
As the global hub for sharing IWD news, events and resources notes: “Women’s equality has made positive gains but the world is still unequal. International Women’s Day celebrates the social, political and economic achievements of women while focusing world attention on areas requiring further action.”
The irony of the Gender Ministry making this appointment on a body that is already clearly suffering from gender imbalance can’t be overlooked.
The ‘deselection’ of Ms Opoku, who had been one of only three women on the 18-member NMC, naturally leaves the NMC with only two women on it.
Thus, the Ministry’s decision is curious, to say the least, especially considering the fact that Mrs Lithur herself is well-known as a feisty fighter for women’s rights and better representation of women in decision-making.
If Ms Opoku had to be replaced for whatever reason, could no suitable women candidates be found to take the seat?
The functions of the NMC include the promotion of the freedom and independence of the media, as well as the insulation of the state-owned media from governmental control. Is the ministry saying that it couldn’t find any woman qualified to assist the NMC to achieve its objectives?
One can agree with the view presented on the global hub that “the vast array of communication channels, supportive spokespeople, equality research, campaign and corporate responsibility initiatives means everyone can be an advocate inspiring change for women’s advancement.”
Nevertheless, the national objective of achieving at least 30 per cent representation of men and women in all public institutions and offices as far as practicable is surely not being served when the representation of women on the NMC is now reduced to two.
This makes it, by my calculation, a representation of less than 15 per cent, whereas there should probably be at least five women on it.
Of course ‘gender’ does not necessarily mean women; and some might also argue that the Ministry’s portfolio is broader than ‘gender’ alone. Perhaps the Minister and her staff decided to replace a woman with a man to demonstrate that the ministry is gender sensitive, but looking at the broader picture was this a good idea?
If, say, half of the NMC’s members were women I for one would have no problem with the Ministry deciding to nominate a man to serve in its name. But in a situation where most of the various institutions and organisations that have representation on the NMC nominate men to represent them, women’s rights activists and interested parties thought they could count on the Gender Ministry to nominate a woman to fill its single slot on the NMC.
I’m not saying that a man can’t represent women’s views or interest; and I’m not saying that a man can’t be gender sensitive. In fact, there are women who are not gender sensitive and who don’t support or show solidarity with women’s causes.
Of course Mr Essamuah’s nomination could also be part of a strategy by the Ministry to nominate men to represent it on other bodies for a period to demonstrate that it doesn’t discriminate.
I also recall that the in its previous life as the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs, that Ministry had a Deputy Minister who was a man.
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However, as stated earlier, ‘gender’ does not mean women but surely we haven’t got to the stage where the Ministry of Gender should give its only seat on any commission or body to a man just to show that it is gender sensitive or that it represents both men and women.
It is unfortunate that the Ministry did not explain the reason for making what can be described as a controversial replacement, or if it did, it has not been publicised, hence the questions being asked about the nomination.
If there is a compelling reason for replacing Ms Opoku with a man, the public needs to be told. Otherwise, one is inclined to think or conclude that the decision was a serious error of judgement on the part of Mrs Lithur as it tends to convey the unfortunate impression that the Ministry thinks a man could serve its interest on the NMC better than a woman.
I’m also surprised that the nomination has not generated any protests from women’s groups or gender activists. Does this mean they find it acceptable? Or do they know something that the rest of us don’t know?
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I think it would be a good idea if the Ministry would review its decision and replace Mr Essamuah with a woman. This is not a comment on the capabilities of Mr Essamuah.
The point is, if a Ministry that is supposed to be fighting for gender mainstreaming, gender balance and women’s representation in decision-making chooses to nominate a man to represent it on a body already gender-challenged, what sort of message is that supposed to convey?
One would like to think that the Ministry has no cause to give the excuse often given to explain inadequate or no women representation on bodies, that suitable nominees could not be found.
Having championed women’s rights for so many years, probably a factor in her nomination as a Minister, I believe that Mrs Lithur should have no problem finding qualified women for any such positions.
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She has been ‘in the trenches’ with them and knows women who can represent the Ministry well whether on the NMC or elsewhere.
I’m sure that the Ministry would be the first to stress that it is a reflection of the importance attached to women’s representation that it is Goal 3 of the Millennium Development Goals: “Promote gender equality and empower women.”
Furthermore, I think that it is very important for the Ministry to be seen to be upholding the capability and empowerment of women in all its actions.