Contemporary Expressions of Populism for Gender Equality in Ghana

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue I, January 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186

Contemporary Expressions of Populism for Gender Equality in Ghana

Janet Serwah Boateng
Department of Environment, Governance and Sustainable Development, University of Cape Coast, Ghana

Abstract—Populist expressions create spaces to enhance fair representation in decision-making positions and gender equality in political positions. This study aims at creating awareness about populism, gender equality and women political representation and empowerment. It seeks to sensitise Ghanaians about the need to facilitate the participation of women in local and national governments. The study used secondary data sources and employed desk stop analysis to analyse populist expressions that geared towards equality in the Ghanaian society. The results show that populist mobilisation has been appealing to ‘the people’ against the government (‘the elite’), because governments, politicians and political parties have paid lip services to the world’s agendas for gender equality. The study shows that populists’ expressions have been impactful in improving women’s consciousness to empower themselves politically. Populists’ styles and activism as expressed in the media, and women’s efforts to win support from the electorate are creating awareness for equity in the Ghanaian political society. The implications are that the populists’ appeal to the people against the governments supports the recognition of gender equality, and the appointment of more women into political positions as well as the sensitisation of the abolition of discrimination in the Ghanaian society to empower women.

Keywords: Populism, populist mobilisations, Ghana, Gender equality, political party, women representation

I. INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this paper is to explore the various forms of populist mobilisation, including, individuals or gender advocates, political parties, civil society organisations (i.e. social movements) to ensure gender equality. It is about discussing the varied populist activities that appeal to the citizenry (‘the people’) against the government (‘the elite’) to enhance fair representation of females in government and politics.
Populism has been used since the 19th Century to express various kinds of appeal, and it involves making claims about ‘the people’, which is always linked to the spread of democracy (Laclau, 2007). Populism is trending because leaders have glossed over the rights of the marginalised in society, which is deepening gender discrimination (Amoakohene, 2004; Ayoade and Taiwo, 2016; Korolczuk, 2019). In contemporary times, individuals or gender advocates play on gendered stereotypes as some females parade with ‘feminine cards’ such as “mama grizzly” or “hockey mom” by a US-based right-wing populist, Sarah Palin.

Read More