adminRobin Muchetu, Senior Reporter
FEMALE parliamentarians have been urged to be active in politics, hold positions of power and play a pivotal role in order to avoid having the quota system abolished.
This was revealed during a launch of the proportional representation report by the Research and Advocacy Unit (RAU) in Bulawayo last week.
A gender activist, Ms Thandiwe Ngwenya said the Constitution states that there should be at least 50 percent representation of women in all sectors of Government and that the State must promote the full participation of women in all spheres of society on the basis of equality with men.
“More women in positions of power can influence policies and strategies for enhancing women’s economic opportunities.
Women account for at least half the population and therefore, have a right to be represented as such,” said Ms Ngwenya. She said women’s experiences are different from men’s and they do things differently and therefore, they need to be represented in discussions that involve policy making and implementation.
Ms Ngwenya said many women, especially in developing countries when asked if they would consider entering politics, or appointed to a decision-making position in government and in the public sector various responses will be given but mostly negative.
“Most women see politics as dirty, full of corruption. These negative perceptions about politics intimidate and threaten most women to keep off it,” she said.
Senator for Beitbridge Cde Tambudzani Mohadi said women were crucial even for political parties.
“As long as political parties do not have anything in the constitution about women in decision making positions then it is flawed. In Zanu-PF there are many of us in the Women’s League but as you go higher in the Central Committee the numbers dwindle, women seem to dominate in the lower rungs of the party and it should change,” she said.
Cde Mohadi said for the quota system to remain in place women need to research on how to be better leaders and lobby for it to be there post 2018 general elections. Sen Mohadi said women were being sidelined even in agriculture.
“Women do not have land, just a handful do, yet women are the prime contributors in agricultural activities. We need to fight in all sectors to see women taking important roles and positions and not being sidelined,” she said.
MDC legislator Mrs Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga said political parties must submit lists of candidates for elections with a 50-50 representation.
“For women to be recognised parties must deliberately have 50 percent representation of both sexes, this way women have a fair chance in elections,” she said.
Ms Thokozani Khupe the MDC-T vice-president castigated those who think that women need to be educated to make sound contributions in society.
“You don’t have to be educated to know that people need food, shelter and health care. It is back to basics at times, even an uneducated woman knows people need food and jobs so women should debate and contribute despite their educational background,” she said.
On the quota system, Ms Khupe aid it has to remain in place until women are integrated fully in politics.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter