adminFungai Lupande Mash Central Bureau
WOMEN Coalition of Zimbabwe’s Bindura Chapter has called on women to maximise their capacity and potential on issues of governance following their poor participation in socio-economic and political activities.
Chairperson of the young women cluster Ms Mandi Piyasi said some of the issues preventing women from participating in issues of governance are lack of support from other women and lack of confidence.
She urged women to stand up for their rights, to have the confidence to participate in all socio-economic and political processes in their communities since women tend to understand each other’s issues better.
“We are trying to capacitate them to open their eyes so that they can participate and stand up for other women in their communities. Due to patriarchy, politics has been male dominated since time immemorial and now that the constitution is giving women an equal opportunity and rights, but women haven’t grasped the concept and don’t have belief that they can do it,” she said.
“We have witnessed positive developments as some women are standing as independent candidates and senators in the forthcoming harmonised elections. The vigour to participate in the electoral processes during the upcoming polls has also increased.
“We hope to reach out to many women and emancipate them. Many issues in society affect women and this must be the drive for them to participate in governance issues.”
One of the participants, Ms Chipo Musonza, challenged women to advance their education.
“Lack of education can become a hindrance for us to fully participate in local governance issues as well as being financially independent. I challenge women to further your education despite age.
“Make use of adult education,” she said.
“Women look down upon each other especially those with disabilities, that is why you see that we don’t vote for each other.
“We also have a challenge of some women in power who are not willing to uplift other women.
“Women also lack the confidence to stand up, while some are held down by cultural beliefs that women should be submissive.
“Some heroes are dying undiscovered.”
Online Reporter
Peter Tanyanyiwa