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Business Reporter
WOMEN in business have been encouraged to participate more in politics for them to be able to take part in policymaking and implementation and address challenges they face as women. Minister of State for Presidential Affairs Flora Buka said most women were shying away from politics while their male counterparts were taking the opportunity to get into politics and make decisions concerning the country.
She was speaking during an interactive session at the Women in Enterprise conference organised by the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce and Women Alliance Business Association in Zimbabwe in Harare last week.
“The new Constitution is one of the most gender sensitive constitutions in the world. It does not only take care of the political aspect but it also takes care of the economic and social rights of the women. What we need to know are the rights of women in the Constitution and demand them because there is no one who is going to give you power. Power is never given on a silver platter,” she said.
She said there were very good policies in place but most women were not aware of what was contained in them. She said there was need to educate women on the different policies that support them so that they can be able to use them to their advantage.
Former permanent secretary for Women’s Affairs Dr Sylvia Utete-Masango said women needed to change their mindset and stop blaming men for their misfortunes.
“We have not taken stock of where we are as women. Let us stop this game of blaming men for all our problems, we should assume responsibility of our own destinies. The policies have been put in place but no one will come and say here is your 50 percent, come and take it. We have to come up with strategies to take our 50 percent,”
Acting chairperson for the Department of Political and Administrative Studies at the University of Zimbabwe Dr Charity Manyeruke also said women were not aware of the contents of policies available for them.
She said although the Constitution had been a national effort which captured the views of everyone, what was needed was the legislation to support it.
“There are no statutory instruments that empower women and Government to should make an effort to come up with the necessary instruments that would make doing business for women easier,” she said.
Also speaking at the same event, managing director of Codchem (Pvt) Ltd Mrs Marah Hativagone said women should advocate to sit on boards.
“Unless we are advocating and lobbying for ourselves, no one will come and say why is there one woman on this board. Let’s fight to get more women on those male-dominated boards so that they can make their voice heard,” she said.
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