adminZvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter
The Zimbabwe Gender Commission Bill received mixed reactions from legislators yesterday in the National Assembly with some supporting it, while others had reservations on some of the provisions.
During the second reading of the Bill, Parliament’s portfolio committee on Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development chaired by Goromonzi West MP Cde Beata Nyamupinga (Zanu-PF), tabled its report in which they raised some issues that it wanted addressed.
Some of the issues included powers by the responsible minister, which they said the people they interacted with during public hearings in five provinces felt compromised the commission’s independence.
It was also noted that the Bill did not make it clear whether the commissioners worked as part time or full time, said Cde Nyamupinga.
“Participants were opposed to the provisions of the Bill that the minister should be consulted in the appointment of the Chief Executive Officer of the board, as well as that the minister has powers to fix the terms and conditions of office of board members of the commission,” she said.
“Participants were of the view that if the minister is to be allowed to influence the appointment of the chief executive officer and fix conditions of service of the board, there would be a risk that the Commission will be turned into a mere extension of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development. It is recommended that the powers of the minister be reduced.
“The minister should not be consulted in the appointment of the Chief Executive Officer of the board, nor should he/she have powers to fix the terms and conditions of office of board members of the commission, as provided for in Sections 10 and 11 of the Bill.”
The committee report was supported by some legislators who felt the absence of a substantive minister showed absence of Government commitment to gender issues.
However, other MPs said the Bill was long overdue.
Mazowe South MP Cde Fortune Chasi (Zanu-PF), dismissed claims by Harare West MP Ms Jessie Majome (MDC-T) that it was not consistent with international standards.
He said claims that commissioners should be apolitical were unsustainable because the idea to bring the Bill itself was a political decision.
Bulawayo East MP Ms Thabitha Khumalo (MDC-T) said the Bill was noble but expressed shock at reports that there were some people in leadership position who were saying 12-year-old could consent to sexual intercourse.
“Who on earth can agree that a 12-year-old can be a wife,” said Ms Khumalo as some MPs could be heard shouting “Tomana.” This was in reference to Prosecutor General Mr Johannes Tomana’s comments that 12 year old were capable of consenting to sex.
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