adminFortunate Gora Mash West Correspondent
Government has been commended for making strides in mainstreaming gender issues, which have seen male and female roles interchanging in society.
In a speech read on her behalf by Makonde district administrator Joseph Manyurapasi at International Family Day commemorations in Chinhoyi on Wednesday, Mashonaland West provincial administrator Mrs Cecilia Chitiyo said increased gender sensitivity fosters development.
“Through the promotion of our gender-friendly Constitution men are warming up to the fact that they cannot go it alone,” she said.
“It accords both men and women the right to custody and guardianship of children and voids all laws, customs, cultural practices and traditions that infringe on the rights of women and girls.”
Ms Chitiyo said affirmative provisions such as the Equal Representation Policy were slowly allowing women to assume most of their deserving roles outside the home.
She applauded the Declaration of Rights in Chapter 4 of the Constitution saying it recognises that men and women have a right to equal treatment including right to equal opportunities in political, economic, cultural and social spheres.
As part of measures to further cement gender equality, she said laws that were inconsistent with the constitutional provisions guaranteeing equality were being abolished and amended to ensure that there is no discord.
She called for further strengthening and preservation of the family unit through interventions such as the family law training programmes.
Online Reporter