Ghana - One of the reasons why women's participation in decision making is low has, over the years been attributed to lack of financial support to back their campaigns.
This is because most women do not have high paying jobs in Ghana and Africa at large.
Low levels of education and the view that women will best serve society by producing babies and supporting or making life comfortable for their husbands are deeply entrenched beliefs in many communities in Ghana.
The Ghana branch of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) as part of efforts to get more women to participate in the fourth coming district assembly elections last week launched a book to educate women on how to win elections.
Section two of the 74 page book titled "A Guide to Women' Participation in Public Office" is on "Campaign Fundraising."
The President of FIDA Justice Margaret Insaidoo who is also an Accra High Court Judge said throughout the history of Ghana, the number of women participating as candidates in parliamentary and local government elections has been very low, partly due to lack of financial support.
For instance in 1998, the number of male contestants in district assembly elections in Ghana was 14,673 as against 547 females.
Gender disparity is also alarming at the national levels, where women comprise less than 20 percent of government officials.
"It is worthy to note that civil society efforts in 2002 district assembly elections helped to bring about an 80 percent in participation of female participation in the district assembly elections of that year," Justice Insaidoo said.
"Our experiences during the presidential, parliamentary and district assembly elections have brought to the fore the importance of providing information that will assist women candidates to reach out to potential voters.
The book notes that fund raising is one of the most important indicator of a successful campaign in any election.
"People donate to a campaign because a candidate has convinced them that contributing to her election will benefit them, and as such the candidate must have something to offer the prospective donor," the book says.
Perhaps, the main objective of the book is to break the myths surrounding fundraising campaigns, especially involving women. It disputes the argument that many people are reluctant to donate towards political campaigns, since it would amount to begging and provocation.
The book thus encourages women who intend to raise funds for campaigns to first determine how much they need to win the election. "First develop campaign budget by putting price tags on campaign activities such as money needed to print 'T' shirts , caps, mugs, car stickers, posters among others."
"Note that fund raising it self is a campaign activity and as such the cost of the fund raising must be part of the campaign budget," the book further noted.
The book further advises female candidates to design a plan to raise the money and combine the budget with a schedule, providing fundraising deadlines and spending guidelines. It also calls on women aspirants to set a deadline for the collection of at least 50 percent of the funds needed.
In addition, female aspirants should compile a list of potential donors such as the candidate herself, her family, her friends, immediate community, women's organizations, political organizations, workers and trade unions, religious organisations, the business community, as well as individuals and associations interested in her candidature.
There is also the need to recruit a fundraising committee, including the candidate, campaign manger and volunteers.
"Include people who have the ability to make a substantial financial contribution in your campaign and ask them, to give out the highest amount possible and to find five other people who can give at similar level," the book advises.
"The most successful funds raisers tend to be people who are persistent but polite and who can deal with stress," says FIDA,
adding that people will not donate if they are not asked and also money is best raised through peer to peer.
"Your best donor is the one who has already given," FIDA said.