Women prove they can do it

This is the clear message that has been coming to us from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. The commission tasked with the conduct of elections has come out with flying colours in the referendum thanks to hard work and dedication of all those involved in the important process.
Its conduct and the timeous release of the results, was beyond reproach and shows an effective leadership.
At the helm were two women – chairperson Justice Rita Makarau and her deputy Mrs Joyce Kazembe. Together they hold one of the most powerful jobs in the country and they have executed their duties well.

Together these women have handled the pressures of an electoral system in Africa that is susceptible to both local and foreign pressures.
What the two have shown is that women can be relied on and can lead the electoral process not only in Zimbabwe but on the continent. While it is true that Justice Makarau only officially took up her duties on the day of the referendum after being sworn in by President Mugabe the previous day, her deputy Mrs Kazembe ran the commission well and absorbed all the pressures that come with such a demanding job.

Mrs Kazembe held fort and expertly handled the inquisitive media, pressure from political parties, poor funding and expectant society to plan and execute a near flawless referendum.

The nine member ZEC board has three other women to bring the total number of five.
Appointed on the eve of the referendum, Justice Makarau took over from Justice Simpson Mutambanengwe who retired last month on medical grounds. She now doubles as Supreme Court judge and ZEC chairperson. So far she has not been found wanting as she took her role as chairperson of the commission in her stride. Despite being appointed a day before the national referendum Justice Makarau was soon in the thick of things directing things at ZEC.

While this is not a call to ignore men of equal ability, women who for long have been playing second fiddle to men now require space to contribute the national development.
It is with this in mind that the country should fully embrace the call for gender equality in Zimbabwe.

Our women leaders require the society’s support. And with that support they can surely move mountains. Women’s leadership is highly effective and has been recognised in the country.

As such Zimbabwe’s history is littered with women who have held leadership positions and did that with distinction.
One woman who has stood above the rest is Charwe Nyakasikana the female incarnation of the oracle spirit Nyamhika Nehanda popularly referred to as Mbuya Nehanda who rose to become the grandmother of struggle against colonial rule.

Men of her time supported and listened to her and the mission did not fail. The resistance against the white settlers was successful.
Zimbabweans need to listen to women leaders and not pull them down if the country is to develop.
Society needs to support the two women at the helm of the country’s electoral body to ensure that they deliver a better election come the harmonized elections that are scheduled for the second half of this year.

It is also critical that women learn from their counterparts who have stood their own in a society that is still biased against male leaders.
They should realise that these two women were not picked from the chuff but are achievers in their own right. Their CVs are impressive and can compete with anyone’s in the country something which is critical for aspiring leaders. This has made it easy for those in authority to appoint them to lead the commission.

Women need to know that the systems that government are putting today can only support them to certain levels in as much as they would remove certain social and physical barriers, but one should be able to develop right academic and frame of mind to compete at the top.

It is critical for aspiring women leaders to take a cue from the two – Justice Makarau and Mrs Kazembe and realise that impediment whether institutionalised or otherwise will always be there and one should be prepared to take up the challenge.

As the Government and society continues to seek ways to bring women to a level where they can confidently grab opportunities available and run with them, there is need to de-school the younger ones of cultural factors, which determines what women can or not do.

As Zimbabwe braces for the law and the coming elections, it is imperative that women start advancing themselves to ensure that when their leadership skills are needed they are not found wanting.

That Zimbabwe has come up with a host of laws meant to improve the status of women will be meaningless if that is not reflected in positions of leadership.