Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
STAKEHOLDERS have called for increased support for women to assume leadership and decision-making roles, saying their participation is critical to inclusive development and sustainable peace.
Government officials, civil society organisations, traditional leaders, faith-based organisations and community representatives made the call during an ongoing multi-stakeholder dialogue on women’s participation in decision-making and peacebuilding being held at a local hotel today.
Speaking at the meeting, Gender Officer in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Mrs Junior Muchuchu said negative perceptions and unequal access to resources continue to hinder women’s participation in decision-making.
“There is still a general belief that women cannot make decisions. Many women have access to resources but do not own them, which affects their ability to influence decisions. Women deserve quality representation in decision-making spaces and should have a voice because decisions affecting them are best made with their participation,” said Mrs Muchuchu, adding that the exclusion of women from leadership often results in policies that fail to address issues affecting them.
Women’s Action Group programmes officer, Ms Clara Mhlaba said the dialogue seeks to identify barriers preventing women from actively participating in leadership, decision-making and peacebuilding processes.
“We believe that when women take up leadership positions, they contribute significantly to national development. Women make up about 52 percent of Zimbabwe’s population, yet their representation in decision-making remains low. This is why we are strengthening the capacity of community-based organisations and other stakeholders to champion women’s participation,” she said.
Ms Mhlaba said increasing women’s representation would also help address challenges such as gender-based violence, maternal health and other issues that disproportionately affect women.
The dialogue is being implemented by the Women’s Action Group (WAG) in partnership with the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, with funding from the UN Women Zimbabwe, supported by Irish Aid.
