The Member of Parliament for Ablekuma North, Sheila Bartels, has pointed out some challenges women in politics face from overcoming gender biases and breaking through the glass ceiling to have their distinct voices recognised in a male-dominated environment.

Speaking in a panel discussion on Joy News on Friday, October 25, 2024, she stated that women in politics have an additional responsibility of representing the voiceless while thriving in environments where their male counterparts may not fully appreciate their unique challenges.

"We still have a glass ceiling in the area of politics. It is still not free and fair for women. We still have challenges getting people to appreciate that the voices of women are distinct.

"It presents a greater sense of responsibility. Especially for those of us who have been given the opportunity to step up. We were selected to speak for those who do not have such an opportunity to speak. More or less, you are given a seat at the table where the majority of the people you are having conversations with are men, who may not appreciate the challenges that we see,” she added.

Sheila Bartels explained that women bring essential and unique perspectives to the decision-making process.

"What we bring to the table is a different perspective. There are areas that will never be covered until there is a woman speaking to them. It is the same as looking in your room and seeing the difference when a woman is present.

"When women are not present, you can see that there is a lot that is missing. There are more women in our population than men. There are more girls completing SHS because of free SHS.

"Somewhere in the top between going to the university and what I will call leadership and governance, the women disappear," she added.

She emphasised the need to take proactive measures to increase female representation in leadership.

"The question again is, what happens to that gap? And the question again is what happens to those of us who have been given a seat at the table. What are we supposed to do to ensure that there are more women who find themselves at the table?”

JKB/ADG

In the meantime, follow Ernestina Asante as she tours the Asokwa Constituency and speaks with MP Patricia Appiagyei in this episode of Campaign Trail on GhanaWeb TV: