adminMejury Magaya and Courtney Matende
There is need to address gender equality in Government and all areas in society expeditiously to achieve gender parity by 2023 as provided for in the Constitution.
Addressing delegates gathered for the Midlands provincial dialogue on engendering the electoral and constitutional reforms: getting to 50-50 in Gweru yesterday- the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Larry Mavima said Government set up the Zimbabwe Gender Commission as a Constitutional body to ensure the achievement of gender equality in the country.
“Their effort to ensure the achievement of parity as provided for by the constitution is highly commendable.
‘‘The principle of constitutionalism should continue to guide us as a people of this country.
“In the same vein, the issue of equality (50/50) in political representation has seized Government for a long time as there are gaps in practice vis-a -vis what is provided for by the Constitution,” he said.
Min Mavima said it is disheartening to note that women’s representation continues to lag behind in all political positions.
“In the Midlands Province, there is only one female MP who was directly voted for while 27 MP’s are males translating to 3,5 percent representation.
‘‘In addition to that, the province has one female senator. The low statistics are despite that woman constitute three quarters of the registered voters in the province,” he said.
Addressing the same delegates – chairperson of ZGC Mrs Margaret Mukahanana-Sangarwe said by 2023 they want gender equality in politics hence the need for the provincial dialogue to educate women.
“Our objectives are to facilitate dialogue with provinces on Electoral and Constitutional reforms to increase women in participation in politics and decision making given that the constitutional quota is lapsing in 2023.
“We also advocate and lobby for 50/50 representation in politics and decision making, to initiate the process of registering aspiring women candidates for mentorship programme in preparation for 2023 elections and to increase visibility of the Commission at provincial level,” she said.
Mrs Mukahanana-Sangarwe urged women to reflect and introspect thoroughly on the options and methodologies that were shared and proffer recommendations for consideration by the Commission.
“Let us consider that, despite us having the quota since 2013, women in Zimbabwe still find themselves under represented in politics.
‘‘Statics show that women make up only 31,5 percent of the National Assembly, 48 percent of the Senate and 13,3 percent councillors.”
Zimbabwe Gender Commission is a constitutional boast whose key mandate is to monitor issues concerning gender equality and ensure realisation of gender equality as provided in the Constitution and they say come 2022 Elections, Zimbabwe must achieve 50:50 at both House of Assembly and local Government.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter