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Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Correspondent
ZANU PF National Secretary for Women Affairs, Cde Mabel Chinomona, has challenged women to actively participate in politics and take up decision making positions.
Cde Chinomona who is also Senate President made the remarks in Mutare on Sunday during the Zanu PF Women’s League Manicaland provincial launch of the Covid-19 face masks programme.
“Let us vote fellow women into power and do so in our numbers to ensure that the gap and under-representation of women in decision-making positions is filled. It is our duty as women to fill these gaps so that we are fairly represented,” she said.
Cde Chinomona said women have to take advantage of Cabinet’s approval of a quota system in Local Government.
The quota system allocates 30 percent of all seats in both urban and rural councils to female councillors.
“This is the reason why President Mnangagwa approved the extension of the quota system to Local Government at the Women Councillors’ Indaba in Victoria Falls last year. Cabinet approved a plan to allocate 30 percent of the seats in Local Government to women and this is meant to ensure that one day we will attain the 50-50 balance at Local Government level,” she said.
Cde Chinomona said women’s participation at all levels is critical as the country pursues Vision 2030 of an upper middle class income economy.
She said women are needed in decision making positions as they are service deliverers in homes and communities.
“To date, we have five female Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution out of 10 provinces and we commend President Mnangagwa for that, as it ensures that we attain a 50-50 balance with men,” she said.
Currently, only 14 percent of Local Government seats across the nation are held by women.
“Despite constituting the majority voters in Zimbabwe, as women we are under-represented in decision-making positions which include Local Government. Vote your fellow women into power, they will win if you support them,” she said.
She further urged party members to be disciplined and shun factionalism.
Speaking at the same occasion, Women’s League Secretary for Administration, Cde Monica Mutsvangwa called for unity.
Cde Mutsvangwa, who is also Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, said President Mnangagwa was a listening leader who has people at heart, therefore the move to ensure that women are fairly represented as their male counterparts.
“Let us be united and vigilant as women. If you support a woman, when she excels, you would have excelled as well. We should support our young women for economic development. Development will only happen where there is discipline, vigilance and unity.
“We should be humble as no one is more special than the next person in the party. We are all equal in Zanu PF, so let us respect each other. We always need each other,” said Cde Mutsvangwa, while also imploring them to be disciplined.
Cde Mutsvangwa also commended women for taking a lead in the Covid-19 fight by embarking on the face masks making projects.
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