Development, it is often said, begins at the community level. It is within communities that both women and men discover their voices, assert their rights, and take action to achieve their developmental aspirations.

Unfortunately, in Ghana, a country where women make up 50.7 percent of the population, there is a significant disparity in the political arena. The voices of men and women are unequal, with glaring gaps in access to and control over resources, economic opportunities, power, and political voice, particularly at the local level.

These barriers, among others, have hindered efforts to help women attain the 30% United Nations recommended threshold in the districts, resulting in gender-based exclusion. This underrepresentation creates a significant inequality in participation and leads to a democratic deficit, as women’s expertise, knowledge, and experience are not adequately harnessed and utilised.

However, the question still remains: Why is participation of women in district-level elections still low despite efforts being made?

In the documentary titled Underrated, Rebekah Awuah and Clement Kumsah, journalists with The Fourth Estate, shed light on the obstacles to women’s participation in governance in Ghana.

The aim of the documentary is put a spotlight on making local government effective centers of self-governance, local participation, decision-making, planning, and development.

Watch the full documentary below: