Gender Asymmetry in Ghana's Parliamentary Committees: Critical Analysis of Women's Representation and Legislative Influence

Abstract

This study interrogates the complex dynamics of gender asymmetry within one of the most influential institutional arenas of democratic governance, parliamentary committees. As committees increasingly function as the nucleus of legislative deliberation, oversight, and policy development, they simultaneously serve as spaces where entrenched gender hierarchies are reproduced or contested. Within this context, the study explored the extent to which women parliamentarians are substantively represented and able to exercise influence within Ghana’s committee system. Anchored in a political settlement theoretical framework, the research employed a qualitative case study methodology to examine structural barriers, informal norms, leadership patterns, and resource allocation practices that shape women’s participation and influence in legislative committees. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 19 selected Members of Parliament and former Members of Parliament, using purposive and convenience sampling techniques to capture diverse experiences and perspectives. A thematic content analysis tool was used to analyse the data. The findings revealed that while nominal gains in women’s access to committee membership have been achieved, substantive influence remains constrained by male-dominated leadership hierarchies, informal gatekeeping practices, and unequal distribution of institutional capital. These asymmetries not only limit women’s effectiveness in policy formulation but also reinforce broader patterns of exclusion in women’s representation and legislative influence, particularly concerning committee composition and the allocation of leadership roles and resources within Ghana's legislative processes. The study contributes to scholarly discourse on gender and political institutions in the Global South, particularly within the African parliamentary context, and addresses a significant gap in public policy literature concerning the intersection of gender, institutional power, and legislative performance. It concludes with actionable policy recommendations to strengthen gender responsive reforms within parliamentary structures, thereby advancing inclusive governance and supporting the realisation of Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality in political participation and leadership.