Source: Australian High Commission in Ghana |

Australia celebrates Women in Politics

The Australian High Commissioner hosted the event to highlight female leadership and discuss Australia’s Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment strategy

Leadership, crucial for women’s empowerment, means giving women a voice, whether in parliaments, in communities, or in peace negotiations

ACCRA, Ghana, August 19, 2016/APO/ --

Over 60 people gathered at Australian High Commissioner’s Residence to celebrate the accomplishments of Ghanaian and Australian women in politics and discuss ways to ‘Pave the way for women at all levels of democratic governance’. Former and present National Women’s party political leaders as well as heads of student representative councils, ambassadors, academics, journalists and civil society representatives joined discussions on topics such as ‘promoting gender perspectives in political systems and processes’, ‘getting more women into winnable seats’ and ‘lessons for women in political leadership’.  

The Australian High Commissioner hosted the event to highlight female leadership and discuss Australia’s Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment strategy. “Leadership, crucial for women’s empowerment, means giving women a voice, whether in parliaments, in communities, or in peace negotiations. It is about enabling and empowering women to be leaders in their communities. Supporting women’s participation in politics is an important way to help realise this goal”, High Commissioner Andrew Barnes said.   

 The event strengthened networks between women involved in democratic governance and raised awareness of the crucial role women are playing and can play  in the sector, as well as the issues and barriers to achieving greater inclusivity in both Australian and Ghanaian politics. 

The Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific and Senator, the Hon. Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, contributed to discussions with a video statement which noted Australia’s gradual process towards gender equality in the political arena.  

“In Ghana, 11 per cent of parliamentarians are women, and I share the hope of many in the audience tonight that we’ll see that number increase come December. Looking around, it’s evident that as in Australia, there is a community of passionate and skilled advocates for women’s participation in Ghanaian politics who are dedicated to raising this number.” High Commissioner Barnes commented. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Australian High Commission in Ghana.