dyton mupawaenda
Farirai Machivenyika-Senior Reporter
SENATE president Cde Mabel Chinomona has deplored the high level of abuse and harassment of female parliamentarians across the world.
Speaking during a webinar for African parliaments organised by the Inter-Parliamentary Union on Wednesday, Cde Chinomona said: “Undeniably, our democratic institutions are meant to be bastions of justice, equality and respect for human rights. They symbolise the aspirations of societies that value the dignity and worth of every individual.
“However, the sad reality is that women in parliaments across the globe face a harsh and unacceptable reality — one marred by violence, discrimination and harassment. This stark contradiction to the principles of democracy is a stain on the very essence of our collective vision. It undermines the foundations upon which our societies are built, eroding the trust and confidence that citizens place in their elected representatives.”
The webinar was organised in response to violence against women ahead of the global commemorations of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence starting tomorrow.
When women, who constitute half of our populations, are subjected to violence within the halls of parliaments, it not only perpetuates a grave injustice against them but also tarnishes the democratic ideals.
“Violence against women in parliaments is therefore not only an affront to the individuals who experience it but is an assault on the democratic values we claim to champion.
“It stifles the voices of women, preventing them from contributing fully to the legislative process and stifling the rich diversity of perspectives that should characterise robust and inclusive governance,” Cde Chinomona said.
The prevalence of violence against women in political spheres, with motives to silence and exclude them from decision-making, directly contradicted the principles of gender equality, freedom of expression and full female participation in the overall decision-making spaces.
A 2021 study, by the in collaboration with the African Parliamentary Union on sexism, harassment and violence against women in parliaments in Africa revealed alarming statistics, Cde Chinomona said.
The study showed that 80 percent of women parliamentarians participating in the study had experienced psychological violence during their mandates, 67 percent had been subjected to sexist behaviour or remarks, 46 percent had been targeted by sexist attacks online especially on social media, 42 percent had received death threats, rape threats, or threats of physical harm or abduction directed at them or their loved ones.
“Turning to my country, Zimbabwe, GBV has been a pervasive concern, affecting women across various spheres of society, including the political arena. However, it is encouraging to note that the Government of Zimbabwe has demonstrated a commitment to tackling this issue head-on through a multifaceted approach,” she said.
The measures include the implementation of awareness campaigns and enactment of laws such as the Domestic Violence Act and the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, both of which encompass provisions aimed at preventing and penalising gender-based violence.
Online Reporter