The challenges confronting women could be reduced if more females accept to work towards assuming leadership positions, Ms Juliet Adams, Programmes Officer of Action Aid Ghana (AAG) has observed.

She made the observation during a sensitisation forum organised by the Regional Intersectoral Gender Network (RIGSEGNET), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) at Tongo in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region on Tuesday for women aspiring to become assembly members.

She said the cause of women cannot be championed efficiently if they are not involved in the formulation and implementation of policies.

The Programmes Officer of AAG noted that the current number of women involved in the decision making process in the country is nothing good to write home about, and urged more of them to aspire to take leadership positions particularly in the forthcoming district assembly elections.

She entreated community members, particularly men to endeavour to support more women to contest for the upcoming elections to help bridge the gender gap, which is affecting the development of the Region and the nation as a whole.

Ms Adams research has shown that women who are given opportunities in leadership positions perform much better than their male counterparts.

The Chairman of the RISEGNET, Mr Daud James Abang-Gos, expressed regret that despite the government directive to the municipal and district assemblies in the region, to ensure that 40 per cent women are appointed, only the Talensi- Nabdam District, complied.

He emphasised on the need for women to vote more of their colleagues into leadership positions to help them address their concerns.

He said plans are far advanced by RISEGNET and AAG to help build the capacity of Assembly women aspirants and provide them with campaign materials.

Mr Abang- Gos said his outfit and AAG had for the past months built the capacity of 70 assembly women aspirants towards the forthcoming district assembly elections.