adminTakudzwa Chiwereweshe Mutare Correspondent
WOMEN must take the initiative to run for public office in the forthcoming elections and enhance their role as drivers of development, as well as address gender disparity across all spectrum, Manicaland provincial development officer, Mr Emillo Chihono has said.
Mr Chihono was speaking at the first quarter gender coordination meeting held in Mutare on Tuesday.
He encouraged women to enter politics so that they could influence decision making on all levels, as well as come up with solutions to problems being faced by fellow women.
“It is important for our women to be part and parcel of the decision making processes across the spectrum, and it is imperative that they participate in politics to build capacity and contribute meaningfully to community development, as well as enhance their visibility, as drivers of development,” he said.
Mr Chihono outlined the importance of gender mainstreaming in politics, saying this provided a platform where women were given relevance, as well as recognition.
“Participating in politics can be empowering for women, as it gives them the platform where they can air their views as well as address their concerns while mainstream politics also gives them resources to enact change,” Mr Chihono said.
He appealed to Government to mainstream its issues and ensure women participated in politics and decision making, which consequently empowered them.
“Government issues should be mainstreamed to allow more women to participate in politics and decision making,” said mr Chihono. “Women have a numerical advantage when it comes to politics and this gives them a competitive edge, as well as the political muscle to influence and implement milestones when it comes to development.”
Mr Chihono said as Ministry of Women, Gender and Community Development, they were committed to building capacity for women through education and mentoring, so as to encourage them to take leadership roles.
“We value the role of women and as a Ministry we have been involved in advocating for women to join politics and we are currently engaging stakeholders involved in politics, including political parties,” he said. “We have engaged councillors and we have realised that female representation at that level is very low, and we are still consulting with other stakeholders to ensure that we encourage women to join politics as independent candidates or as affiliates of a political party.”
Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development officer, Mrs Rosmary Matanda, pointed out the need to continuously educate both urban and rural women on the benefits of running for political office, as this unlocked space for women to meaningfully contribute on a local and national level.
“Women need to be educated on the basic requirements of running for a political office, which range from the age range, educational and industrial requirements if any,” she said.
She stressed the need to encourage women and enhance their participation in politics.
Mrs Matanda expressed disappointment on the lack of interest being displayed by urban educated women in politics who left political matters in the hands of men as opposed to grassroots women who were more actively involved.
Online Reporter