West Africa Civil Society Institute wacsi.org

Women Lawyers from Tanzania pay a working visit to WACSI

On Thursday June 4, 2012, a delegation of four (4) Women Lawyers of Tanzania visited WACSI to have a deeper understanding of the role played by civil society in Ghana, and WACSI in particular in the Ghanaian constitutional review process. This will inform the Tanzanian Women Lawyers Association’s coordination of a gender forum with other civil society organisations in Tanzania, aimed at providing deeper insights to the constitutional review process in the east African country.

During the meeting, the Executive Director of WACSI, Nana Afadzinu explained that WACSI was not involved in the constitutional review process in Ghana. She however remarked that the process was effectively coordinated to provide the expected results. “During the constitutional review process, all sectors of the diverse Ghanaian population were involved. Many strategies were utilised to share the message to Ghanainans, using mobile phone, public debates on TV and other media platforms” she noted.

The WACSI team that welcomed the delegation from Tanzania provided the visitors with some practical suggestions that could galvanise a similar process in Tanzania. It was recommended that stakeholders in the constitutional review process should promote general participation of Tanzanians in the process, strengthen the capacity of citizens so they can effectively relate to the constitution, promote the freedom of expression, use local languages to address rural areas; avoid to review the constitutional review around elections period or review constitution addressing democratic values in a manner that does not respect the general opinion of the population; and most importantly, provide an independent environment for the electoral commission.

The Executive Director however pointed out that WACSI contributes in strengthening the capacities of civil society organisations in West Africa; with a strategic interest in women and women’s organisations in the sub-region.

Through the interactive and learner-friendly training methods, WACSI addresses topical issues pertaining to gender and women participation in democratic and decision making processes. She made mention of the Institute’s collaboration with Women Peace and Security Network (WIPSEN) Africa that has resulted in the establishment of a West Africa Women Election Observation Team (WAWEO), - a women only platform for electoral observation within the sub region. Nana is also pointed out that WACSI and WIPSEN jointly organise the Annual Women’s Policy Forum, a platform that promotes the political participation and involvement of women in decision making processes in West Africa.

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