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Columbus Mabika Herald Reporter
The 10th Session of Parliament has brought in a number of young legislators, in keeping with President Mnangagwa’s desire to have more young people participate in national politics.
After the eagerly-awaited August 23 harmonised elections, one of the young people elected was Cde Barbra Thompson (27).
She benefited from the recently introduced Youth Quota, aimed at increasing the participation of young people in active national politics.
Cde Thompson was elected representing Zanu PF in Mashonaland Central Province.
She said her immediate task was to uplift the lives of women, striving for women recognition and empowerment until more of them land decision-making positions across all facets of the economy.
In the new Cabinet appointed by President Mnangagwa, there are six female ministers, as the Second Republic lives true its desire to ensure women also occupy top positions.
Cde Thompson, herself the second youngest legislator in the 10th Parliament, said women and girls empowerment had the potential to propel the country to greater heights.
“As per President Mnangagwa’s vision of giving a voice to the young people and women, as new parliamentarians we have a task ahead of us to ensure the increase of female representation in all spheres,” she said.
“There have to be conscious and deliberate efforts in changing the narrative that women are inferior and less important in matters, including increasing the participation of women and youths in political positions.”
Cde Thompson said there was a gender gap in leadership, and referenced a report by the United Nation’s Economic Commission for Africa, which says women hold only 16,5 percent in African parliamentary seats and 9,8 percent of ministerial positions.
She said there was a popular narrative that women do not support other women, which she said was not entirely true.
Cde Thompson said on the contrary, her personal experience showed she was mentored and supported by a woman.
She said having successful women leaders like Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, the new Minister of Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, who can serve as role models and mentors for younger girls, was significant in women empowering and reducing the gender gaps in leadership positions.
For Cde Thompson, women should always be in leadership positions as they offer valuable and critical insights into challenges and opportunities encountered by women and girls in their daily lives.
“It is essential that we establish mentorship programmes and networks to support the next generation of women leaders and ensure that they have the support and guidance they need to succeed,” she said.
Cde Thompson said she will work hard to ensure more schools were constructed in her constituency, together with the drilling of boreholes for the provision of clean water.
Online Reporter