Minister of Truth: Yes to the Women’s Quota

Minister of Truth with Cde Jason Zhuwao

Before I embark on this week’s topic, I, on behalf of the entire Ministry of Truth, would like to congratulate the President and First Secretary of Zanu PF, his Excellency President Mugabe on a successful 15th edition of the National People’s Conference.

We applaud him for unifying the party and we also celebrate the several resolutions that were delivered at the gathering. One particular resolution stood out, the resolution made by the women’s league.
Women’s Affairs minister Cde Nyasha Chikwinya revealed that the Women’s League wants the return of the women’s quota in the presidium and emphasised the unity that exists in the league led by Dr Grace Mugabe.
The Ministry of Truth found it befitting to show it’s support for this move, and today’s article will explore the reasons why we are for the balance of power.
When I sat down to contemplate on the contributions that women and the Women’s League have made to Zimbabwe, my attention was immediately drawn to Mbuya Nehanda.
Perhaps the first celebrated female war vet of the nation. Her heroism, selflessness and humility set the tone for the women who followed in her footstep to this very day.
We talk of the chimbwidos ,the hospitality service that fed, nursed, and cared for our gallant men throughout the chimurenga.
Like fuel to an engine, our tireless lady folk are what maintained momentum from the start of the struggle till the last gun was sounded.
Women readily contribute towards the development of their communities yet in Africa particularly, there seems to be widespread reasons why people think women should not take active part in leadership and governance.
Once Zimbabwe attained self rule, women rose up to the challenge of governance, proving that their prowess extends to intellectual sectors. These leaders worked with their male counterparts to draft key policies that shaped our nation.
With such a formidable background, it did not come as a shock to me when the Women’s League voiced their desires for the return of the quota which was first introduced in 2004.
I find it a refreshing contribution to our political landscape.
Why shouldn’t we award our female Comrades gateways to see their aspirations through?
What does it mean to have more women in our Government?
It means having the majority of the national population led by persons who better understand and relate to their needs.
As you are aware, the greater percentage of Zimbabwe’s population is female.
It means the very people who are often tasked with carrying the burdens of socio economic hardships are now actively involved in policy and legislative debates.
On a cultural level, it provides the girl child with a paradigm shift in terms of the goals she can aspire to. Whilst regionally, Zimbabwe will join the ranks of nations such as Ghana, South Africa and Senegal where considerable female representation in state affairs has resulted in systematically well run governments.
Of course, this request by the female wing of the Zanu PF has quickly been linked to succession politics with certain analysts concluding it is merely just a means to pave way for the elevation of the First Lady to succeed President Mugabe.
This is not the case.
The distribution of power is enscribed in the party’s constitution which states that “Women shall constitute at least one third of the total membership of the principal organs of the Party “. . . Zanu PF had recognised the need of a female Vice President before this fracas on Amai Mugabe’s political aspirations began.
Unfortunately, the Women’s League was let down by Mai Mujuru in whom they had put their trust to be the female voice in the presidium.
Her defaulting resulted in the abandonment of the gender equity system at the 2014 December Congress.
But as I explaind in my first piece on the People First, Amai Mujuru does not represent the thoughts and opinions of the Zanu PF women.
They should thus not be punished for the faltering of a minority.
We have not witnessed the same happening for men where if they fail at a certain position, that position becomes open for women to take up.
Beyond the party guidelines, our national constitution espouses gender equality, making valid the argument brought on by these women that the position left vacant by the People First leader should be filled by a woman.
As our nation boasts of a high literacy rate, the girl child has been actively contributing to that figure.
Our women are adequately educated and if anything, they simply require support to remove the stigma against those in leadership.
Zanu PF sets the tone for policy in Zimbabwe, and that goes beyond the political front.
Taking the women’s quota seriously will have a ripple effect on the development of women across all sectors of the economy.