Kumasi, June 7, GNA - The Member of Parliament (MP) for Bantama, Mrs Cecilia Abena Dapaah, has urged women to shake off apathy towards the upcoming district level elections. She said they should put themselves up for election into the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies to help influence policy decisions to promote their development and that of children. "We should do everything to influence decisions that affect our live s and the lives of our children."

Mrs Dapaah, who was addressing a day's workshop for women in Kumasi,

expressed worry about their under representation in political leadership positions and said this needed to change. The Women's Caucus in Parliament organized the programme in partners hip with the African Development Fund.

It was held under the theme; "Increasing Female Participation in District Assemblies," and brought together participants from Adoato, Abre po Junction, Bohyen, North Suntreso, Ohwim, Asore-Nkwanta and Bantama Electo ral Areas in the Bantama Constituency. The workshop provided the platform for the MPs to share their experience s with the women and to encourage them to contest for elective positions. They were taken through gender mainstreaming, good governance, transparency, preparation towards election, campaign strategy, pre and post-election day activities and how to win votes among other things. Mrs Dapaah said it was important women were assisted to become activ e in all aspects of political governance.

Mrs Beatrice Serwah Derkyi, a Resource Person, said women should not be their own enemies but must work together and ensure a united campaign to achieve gender equity. She said they should have confidence in themselves and become more assertive. Mrs Hagar Asante, Ashanti Regional Treasurer of the New Patriotic Party,

said given their numbers, women could significantly increase their representation in the district assemblies. 7 June 10