Vusumuzi Dube
Tsitsi Zhou
As the country marks 43 years of self-rule this year, we are reminded of women like Vivian Muchicho Mwashita (Cde Kundai Mabhunu) who joined the liberation struggle at a very tender age in 1975 and never stopped supporting the revolution until 8 April 2016 when she succumbed to diabetes.
We are also reminded of Mama Joanna Mafuyana, who supported her husband, the late Vice-President Dr Joshua Nkomo in all difficult circumstances of the liberation struggle and stood with him until he took his last breath.
The national Secretary for Women’s Affairs Cde Mabel Chinomona, who also took part in the war of liberation, is at the helm of the country’s Senate and one of the women who remained resilient in the face of war.
She still lives within the confines of the principles and values she fought to attain and defend. Zanu-PF national chairperson Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, who is the Minister of Defence is another shining example of women who stood for the country.
Our independence also marked the birth of women empowerment and as we celebrate this milestone, we also note the gains thereof. About 50 percent of the country’s resident ministers are women as the Government continues to promote gender equality.
Women have also been afforded affirmative opportunities in farming and mining, among other empowerment sectors. The story of having women in strategic leadership positions in the New Dispensation would not be complete without the mention of the zebra crossing for Senate starting with women having 60 seats in Parliament and 30 percent on the cards for the women’s quota in local authority leadership.
After independence, Government came up with deliberate policies and affirmative programmes to empower women both economically and politically.
The National Gender Policy adopted in 2013 as a development of its predecessor adopted in 2004 dedicates to create a fair society where all citizens enjoy equality of opportunities and participation in all sectors.
The country is also party to international protocols such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on Civil and Political Rights (CCPR), the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BDPA).
On a regional level, the country is signatory to the Sadc Gender and Development Declaration which also seeks to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
The Government has initiated a number of women empowerment programmes superintended by the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development with support from the national fiscus. Many women of strength and intelligence in defending the gains of the liberation struggle live among us today and it is our prerogative to emulate them.
We are reminded that behind every great man we celebrate a woman whose values, principles and ethos we all wish to attain. We celebrate the First Lady Amai Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa and other women who like her stood for what is right and went a step further in improving the livelihoods of Zimbabwean women and children.
The Women’s League appreciates the work Amai Dr Mnangagwa is doing for our beloved country.
Zimbabwe remains united and jealously guards the gains of independence. We mourn and remember all the women who were raped, brutalised, abused and killed during the protracted struggle to liberate Zimbabwe.
The liberation struggle was not for the faint-hearted — many boys and girls abandoned their studies at secondary schools and the University of Rhodesia to join the war. They were constantly pushed to the edge, with no choice but to hold on.
Some comrades watched their fellow cadres die and did not have the chance to give them decent burials. Instead, they had to quickly move on and continue with the cause. They were constantly under attack, always having to look over their shoulders.
The cadres went for long periods without adequate food, shelter and clothing. The training was so rigorous that many women’s bodies responded by stopping menstruation.
Protection from wildlife and the elements was a matter of divine fortification. They had to be on the lookout for landmines, poisoned water sources and poisoned clothes while protecting civilians from the enemy and engaging their adversaries.
The sons and daughters of the soil chose to say “no” to white minority control over their country and their wealth. They said “no” to living a life without dignity, no vote, restricted jobs, small housing, poor schools, limited opportunities and low salaries.
Blacks were barred from “white jobs”, areas, shops, clinics, pubs, buses, clear beer, and generally regarded as inferior to dogs such that police asked where one got a wrist watch or white shirt from.
They bought through shop windows and were barred from pavements.
Blacks needed a pass to live in town in male only or female only hostels. Only very few blacks were allowed to go beyond Grade 7 and even less beyond Form 2 under the bottleneck education system, meaning fewer blacks could proceed beyond the next level until university.
Racial segregation permeated the colonial project at every level, whether it was in sports, hotel facilities, or the use of public conveniences and amenities. But today we celebrate a free Zimbabwe, one we can all enjoy and be proud of.
Cde Tsitsi Zhou is the Zanu-PF Midlands Provincial chairlady.
Online Reporter