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Conrad Mupesa Chinhoyi Bureau
Women must take an active role in politics to complement Government efforts to uplift them, Zanu-PF National Secretary for Environment and Tourism Cde Prisca Mupfumira has said. In an interview yesterday, the Senator for Makonde expressed concern at the number of women who won the right to represent Zanu-PF in primary elections held recently.
“The Zanu-PF Government has uplifted women in all the spheres of life including economy and politics. Even our manifesto has also given attention to women politically. “It is, however, disturbing that an insignificant number of women participated in the elections and succeeded.”
She said women were still scared of participating in politics. “It is the women who should, however, take part in politics and support each other. Through their participation in politics, women will be able to effect change in some of the burning issues that they have,” said Cde Mupfumira.
Members of both the Women’s League and Youth League have also called for protection by the party leadership from stigma, denigration and intimidation.
They argue that their male counterparts, including losing candidates, have taken to social media where they are denigrating successful female candidates.
Cde Chipo Savanhu recently told a Zanu-PF provincial co-ordinating committee meeting that the male counterparts were calling for a re-run in one of the wards in Chinhoyi won by a female candidate.
“Our leadership should protect the winning candidates as some losing candidates used social media to denigrate their female counterparts,” she said.
In its election manifesto Zanu-PF pledges to promote women empowerment through increased participation in politics, education and the economy.
Online Reporter