ABANTU FOR Development in collaboration with women's organizations and other civil society groups is currently drafting a women's manifesto for Ghana.

The women's manifesto is a political document containing key issues of concern on women, which is expected to be used to influence women's active participation in decision -making processes in the 2004 elections and beyond.

Speaking to The Chronicle in an interview, Dr.Rose Mensah-Kutin, the regional programme manager said the programme was a collaborative effort between the Friedrich Ebert Foundation and Abantu for development as an expression of their continued commitment to women's activism in politics especially, the promotion of gender equality principles in governance processes.

According to the manager, the programme is to create an opportunity to discuss ways in which there could be greater collaboration between civil society organizations and the media in promoting gender issues in the political process especially towards the upcoming 2004 elections.

She said the programme would enhance the interest in women's participation in the political decision -making process. It would give an update of the women's manifesto process and discuss the section on women, conflict and peace.

Dr. Kutin disclosed that they would soon organize a seminar to that effect for fifty press women and men, adding that the presentation would focus on issues concerning women such as violence against women, women in conflicts area and peace.

Explaining further, she said after the presentation, there would be an open discussion where press women and men could ask questions, make comments and contributions.

She however said a brief report of the proceedings would be produced, pointing out that Abantu would also track all media coverage and publications on the issues discussed for monitoring and evaluation purposes.