Position Paper: Balance for Better

Gender balance has been widely understood as equitable distribution of life’s opportunities and resources between men and women.

Put differently, gender balance may refer to representation of either women or men in any decision-making body in public, private or political life, not falling below 50% as a parity threshold. It is closely tied to gender equality, which speaks to equal treatment of men and women, equality before the law, equality regarding access to justice information etc. The participation of women and girls in leadership and decision-making processes is fundamental to the achievement of United Nation Sustainable Goal 5.

The Legal Framework

• The Constitution of Zimbabwe, which is the Supreme law of the land provides that the State must promote full gender balance in Zimbabwean society, and in particular, promote the full participation of women in all spheres of Zimbabwean society. The same provision also mandates the State to take all measures, including legislative measures, needed to ensure that both genders are equally represented in all institutions and agencies of government at every level, and that women constitute at least half the membership of all Commissions and other elective and appointed governmental bodies.
• The State must take positive measures to rectify gender discrimination and imbalances resulting from past practices and policies.
• Section 56 provides that women and men have the right to equal treatment, including the right to equal opportunities in political, economic, cultural and social spheres.

Situation analysis

• Although, the Constitution is clear on the promotion of gender balance, there are gaps that still exist within the legal framework itself and implementation thereof. It is indeed a fact that women still lag behind men in access to decision-making and leadership positions in public, private, economic and social life. A closer look at the current composition of various bodies, parastatal boards, government institutions and other public appointments will corroborate this fact. These include:

1. Vice Chancellors of State Universities 0% women, and 100%
2. The recently appointed Advisory Council to the President, where out of 26 Advisors, only 4 are women.
3. The composition of the Presidium where men constitute 100% and women 0%
4. The current composition of Parliament — the Lower House is constituted by 85 women (31%) and 185 men, the Upper House- 35 women (43%) and 45 men
5. Local government councillors -190 women (13.3%) and 1169 men
6. The current Cabinet composition where 14 Ministers are men, only 6 are women (30%).
7. The Commission of Inquiry appointed to look into the violent events of 1 August 2018, which was composed of 5 men and only 2 women.

• This scenario further extends to Board members of Parastatals, Public Sector, Judiciary and Heads of Government Schools.

Position

What this sad state of affairs means for the future of women in Zimbabwe remains unknown. It however brings to light the truth that despite women constituting the majority in Zimbabwe (51.9%), they have continued to be regarded as the minority in terms of representation in economic and political life, decision-making and governance processes. Democracy can thus not be achieved where half the population is inadequately represented.  Therefore, gender parity and equality should never be viewed as purely a women’s rights issue but a democracy issue. It is our position that in order to create a conducive and democratic society at both local and national level, it is important to ensure that gender parity and equality is promoted, for women to participate in both formal and informal decision-making structures. We emphasise that whether or not we achieve gender balance in every sphere of the Zimbabwean society is largely dependent on the political will, dedication and commitment of government, private sector, public sector and CSOs to Implement provisions of constitution and align laws.  It will also require time,  a set of clear measurable and attainable objectives.

 

Recommendations

1. SADC must ensure full implementation of the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development which provides for empowerment of women and the promotion of gender equity through gender responsive programs in Zimbabwe.
2. The African Union must ensure that member States promote gender parity with women occupying at least 50% of elected public offices at all levels.
3. Government, CSOs and the Private sector must improve gender balance in the workplace by employing and promoting more talented and hardworking women to management and leadership positions.
4. The Zimbabwe Gender Commission must recommend enactment of a law that specifically provides for gender parity and makes it mandatory in all political and government appointments, in line with section 17(1)(b) of the Constitution.
5. Parliament must establish clear procedures and concrete action plans to entrench gender balance in all spheres of the Zimbabwean society, e. g Enactment of a Gender Parity Act or any other legislation that specifically and clearly provides for mandatory gender parity in all public, political and government appointments and other elective bodies, in line with section 17(1)(b) of the Constitution.
6. Community and traditional leaders must uphold and promote the principle of gender balance in all their programs and structures.

Sponsored by Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe