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Mrs Freda Prempeh, Member of Parliament (MP) for Tano North Constituency at the weekend said a �Legislative Quota seat � system is urgently required in Ghana�s electoral laws to consolidate the country�s growing democracy. �Legislative Quota Seat �, she explained, is a system that allocates specific percentage of parliamentary seats to women. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview in Sunyani, Mrs Prempeh regretted that women participation in politics continued to dwindle, though they represented about 52 per cent of the national population. She called on parliament to expedite action on the passage of the Affirmative Action Bill, which she noted, would help create an enabling environment for gender equality and women empowerment in decision making processes. Mrs Prempeh pointed out that women�s participation in Politics and the important roles they played in the development of the nation had not been adequately recognized by successive governments, and stressed the importance of eliminating various gender stereotypes and the tapping of the potentials of women through affirmative action. �Decisions affecting women are taken without adequate inputs from them�, the MP stated, explaining that, women empowerment required a comprehensive multi sector approach with emphasis on increased participation and representation of women in decision-making at all levels. Mrs Prempeh reiterated that the key role of political parties in identifying, grooming and enhancing women�s participation in the decision making process was very paramount and challenged the government to make considerable efforts in incorporating gender issues into its policies and programmes. Progress in women, the MP stressed, is progress for all and therefore recommended that all measures for enhanced education, health and employment ought to be put in place for women empowerment. Mrs Prempeh advised women not allow themselves to be bogged down by cultural, ethnic and religious impediments but re-orient their minds and aspire higher, especially in the area of politics. She noted with regret that stereotyping and the patriarchal nature of a male-dominated career, interwoven with social and cultural hindrances, had created timidity, low esteem and lack of self confidence among many women. Mrs Prempeh emphasised that it was the responsibility of men to encourage and support their wives to go into active politics so that women participation in decision making processes would be enhanced.