INTRODUCTION

Democratic institutions are institutions created for the purpose of strengthening democracy in a country. Democracy which is a concept of governance has become acceptable in modern states as a legitimate way of national administration. It is practiced through a systemic structure of institutions and bodies which are established for specific purposes and functions. These institutions include; the Executive, the legislature and the Judiciary. These three bodies are normally referred to as the three arms of government. Other democratic bodies are the National Electoral Commission, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, the National Commission on Civic Education among others. These bodies are called different names in different countries but perform similar if not the same roles.

GOOD GOVERNANCE
One must emphasize that these democratic institutions derive their mandate and their modus operandi from the Constitution. In a nutshell, one can say that democratic institutions are established and defined by national constitutions. This ensures that national governance is done in an organized manner, and in conformity with the rule of law and respect for human rights. This is the essence of our well-being as humans. However if indeed the practice of democracy, through its various legitimate institutions would lead to the realization of respect for human rights and the rule of law, then as women parliamentarians we have a duty to help fashion out formidable means to strengthen these institutions. This paper therefore seeks to expatiate on the role of women Parliamentarians in this regard.

INADEQUATE REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN
First of all, democratic institutions support initiatives aimed at strengthening democratic governance and processes that will allow the effective management of political, economic and administrative affairs at all levels of society. This can involve efforts to enhance participation in decision-making processes and protection of human rights, support for initiatives to promote transparency in political and economic affairs. These institutions ensure that the tenets of democracy such as the rule of law, good governance and human rights are practiced in a society. The role of women parliamentarians in this noble crusade, especially in Africa, presents a unique challenge. The challenge lies in the fact that women constitute the majority of the total population of Ghana and most African countries but their contribution to the growth and strengthening of democracy is very minimal. The participation of women in the democratic process in Africa is totally at variance with their numerical strength. If democracy presupposes a rule of the majority, then African women must and should play a more active role in decision making. It is also important to indicate that women should have adequate representation, especially on their respective legislative bodies as well as other democratic institutions whose functions and operations have a direct consequence on the promotion of democracy.

INHIBITING FACTORS
Several factors account for the inadequate representation of women in the vital areas of the democratic process. These range from cultural, religious, sociological and even economic factors. We are all aware of how these factors individually or collectively have frustrated women’s advancement in our own countries.

Generally, women tend to advance slower than their male counterparts in their careers both in terms of assigned responsibilities and emoluments. This can mostly be attributed to society’s gender biases against girls and women including education, training and in patterns of promotion and allocation of jobs in employment. Historically women have had fewer opportunities for advancement than men. The traditional set-up in most African Countries is so structured as to create perpetual dependence of women on men even though the bulk of economic activities, such as farming and other micro-economic activities are carried out by women.

Over several years until after the Being Conference of 1995 movement, women did not feel encouraged to participate in processes which borders so much on their wellbeing. Most African women believed that politics was the preserve of men. This mentality had lingered on for a long time, and I am of the view that the time has come for us as women to rise above this archaic socialisation, so that our great voices and positions on national matters would be captured in the decision- making process. Decisions of women embody that of the vulnerable including children. We do not just represent women, we represent everybody in society.

GENDER REPRESENTATION, GLOBAL OUTLOOK
A considerable number of Gender activists have produced thought provoking literature concerning gender issues and quite a number of them have focused on the need to increase the participation of women in decision/policy making at the highest level. It is high time women were included in decision-making not simply because our numerical strength, but because it is a human rights issue. The low representation of Women in Parliament, in particular has received enormous attention, since apparently it is a global concern. The world population average percentage of women in Parliament as at November 2004 was 15.6%. This is low compared with the fact that Women constitute over 51% of the total world population. On regional basis, member countries of the European Organization for Security and Corporation in Europe, including Nordic and the Americas rank high with 18.4 percent of Women in Parliament. For instance, in Sweden, where women occupy 149 of the 349 (42.7%) seats in Parliament and 9 of the 11 (82%) cabinet ministries including the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Justice and Agriculture, issues such as child care and equal opportunities have gained importance.

AFRICAN OUTLOOK
That of Sub Saharan Africa is 14.2 percent and the Arab states rank lowest with 7.0 percent. In South Africa and Ghana, the percentage of Women in Parliament is 30% and 10.2% respectively. The effective representation and participation of women in key public and political positions can help create a better world. Women should be part of the decision-making process because their inclusion in this process can make a sustainable difference. The exemplary South African situation in South Africa, women occupy 30% of the seats in the National Assembly and about 28% of cabinet positions. This representation has led to some modest developments in the under- listed areas:
National Women’s Day is duly recognized and it has been declared a Public Holiday
The establishment of structures to promote and protect gender equality including the Commission on Gender Equality, Office on the Status of Women, the Parliamentary Committee on the Improvement of Quality of Life and Status of Women, and the Parliamentary Women’s Caucus.

JUSTIFICATION FOR WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION
There is the need for more women representation in governance institutions because sustainable development is about power relationship. Women’s equal participation in political life plays a pivotal role in the general process of the advancement of women and children and of society generally.

Women are equally competent as their male counterparts with requisite knowledge and experience. We know the critical role that women play in the progress of our societies. Though their efforts are sometimes invisible in the larger world, they are often the real change agents in society struggling daily to feed and educate their children and improve the lives of the people in their communities.
More than 800 million women are economically active worldwide. They have better negotiations skill and are able to manage their homes with moderate revenue. Income in the hands of women though small has had a dramatic impact on the well being of their families. Women spend a significantly higher proportion of their income on children's food, health, and education, ensuring that the next generation will have a better future. Women also bring a different set of concerns to the political process by virtue of their roles and status in society. Thus, if women are able to successfully make sound policies in managing their homes, it is logical that they can equally make effective and efficient use of a nation’s resources through good decision- making.

THE WAY FORWARD
Our first priority as women MPs will be to strengthen the promotion of women in politics – an area in which the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) is a leader. This task can be achieved by establishing networks of women in politics in each country and between parliaments. In this perspective, globalization has given us opportunities we must take advantage of even though these also are challenges associated with it which we must overcome. Today there is virtually no theme (trafficking in women and children, HIV/AIDS, domestic violence) that can be addressed without drawing on the experiences of other countries. Hence the key role IPU plays in linking us together.

CONTINENTAL EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AND EXPERIENCES
Secondly, I believe that as African women, we do not exchange ideas much, we as African women must interact more, which will lead to better and broader interrelation and knowledge on our experience especially, those that lead to our advancement. It is also through inter and multicultural dialogue that women can generate a culture of peace and stability on our continent which will create the right environment for effective decision making.

REFORM OF GOVERNANCE INSTITUTIONS
Again, it is time for Women MPs to start thinking beyond numbers and to campaign for the reform of government institutions to allow women to participate effectively. Governance institutions should be “gender sensitive” in the way they operate, by taking into consideration sex and gender roles. Deliberate programmes to train and equip women when they enter the corridors of power are also needed.
Woman MPs can also strengthen democratic institutions by becoming involved in civic journalism, journalism which involves an "explanatory" story frame to cover public issues instead of the "conflict" frame, which often reports two opposing viewpoints.

ECOWAS (PAN-AFRICAN PARLIAMENTS/COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION
The ECOWAS Parliament, Pan-African Parliament (PAP), the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, the women caucus in our various Parliaments, Non Governmental Organizations and civil society organization should continue to promote affirmative action measures and conduct strict monitoring and evaluation of results, encourage parliaments to ratify international instruments and promote parliamentary action to repeal discriminatory laws, foster exchanges on various issues by way of seminars, panel discussions, etc.

NGOs
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with resources and leadership should mobilize women across the continent and build their capacity. This also fulfills a valuable role in ensuring that women’s issues are mainstreaming into all facets of national life.
Institutions should promote anti-discrimination policies on the labor market so that women may gain economic and social autonomy and lead a full political life, promote proactive policies against domestic violence, which is a hurdle to women playing leading roles outside the home.
Furthermore, Parliaments should lead by example in their technical and administrative structures and regulations that promote gender parity in day-to-day life. For example women in Africa can take some leadership inspiration from Nancy Pelosi, the newly elected Speaker of the Congress in the US, and also Hillary Rodham Clinton, Senator of New York. These are top positions which are occupied by women in America. In Africa and specifically in Liberia, Her Excellency, Mrs. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf the first elected black female president should be our role model worth emulating.

CULTURAL TRANSFORMATION
In conclusion, there is a need for cultural transformation on the African continent where women are seen as weaker vessels and thus unable to lead. Women should also prove to society that they are capable of partaking in decision-making. Women need the support of all citizens in order to take up political positions.

ASSERTIVENESS OF WOMEN MPs
We must not assume that by virtue of being a woman, every woman parliamentarian automatically strives to fight for women's rights. Those who are actively involved in the cause of women's enlistment can surely make a difference, being more visible in parliament and in their constituencies doing what have been regarded to be hitherto male bastions.

"Windows on Africa" is a maiden biannual publication magazine of Africa in Democracy and Good Governance (ADG)

Submitted by Edwin Nebolisa

73, Kombo Sillah Drive (Sonko Jileng Building)
Churchill's Town
P.o.Box 2206, Serekunda
The Gambia, West Africa

Email: adg_gam@yahoo.com