The ManicaPost
Daphne Machiri Post Correspondent
Low levels of female political representation undermine the quality of the country’s democracy. There is need to domesticate the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG) in line with the country’s Constitution.
President Mnangagwa’s signing of the African Charter in Rwanda on March 21, 2018 showed Government’s eagerness to empower women, uphold human rights and strengthen political pluralism, among other issues.
The ostracism of women in political depiction, though with varying notches, is a chronic and ubiquitous phenomenon in different regions of the world. Women’s historical paucity in politics is largely the result of widely shared gender stereotypes.
Compared to their male counterparts, the level of women’s participation in decision-making positions is uninspiring and debilitating. It remains an enduring and pervasive scenario, to the extent that political decision-making in some countries is stereotypically assigned to men.
Various obstacles continue to hinder women’s equal participation and leadership in politics, including the dearth of empowerment policies for women and girls, stereotyping, persistent discrimination against women, harassment, intimidation and violence. Overall, prejudice, cultural discernments and lack of financial resources impede women’s access to political life. Most women cite domestic responsibilities as the single most essential deterrent to their life in politics, a hitch rated much lower among their male counterparts.
Zimbabwe’s legal provisions
In spite of all these impediments, Zimbabwe has made great strides in promoting gender equality through the Constitution and observing regional and international treaties in which it is a signatory.
Women’s participation in politics is strongly supported by the Constitution. In seeking to upsurge gender balance, Chapter 2, Section 17 (subsection 2) of the Zimbabwean Constitution states that the State must take positive measures to ratify gender discrimination and imbalances resulting from past practices and policies.
The Constitution supports gender balance in all spheres. Section 56 (Part 1) articulates equality and non-discrimination, insisting that all persons are equal before the law and that they have the right to equal protection and benefit of the law. Part 2 states that women and men have the right to equal treatment, including the right to equal opportunities in political, economic, cultural and social domains.
The Constitution also established a Gender Commission tasked with promoting gender equality in all spheres of life.
Zimbabwe, being a signatory of regional and international instruments, has been doing well in empowering women.
Constitutional literacy is also important for women to understand how they can attain leadership positions. Women are eligible to occupy any political and leadership positions if they are interested.
Unpacking international instruments
The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) places women into the focus of human rights concerns and gives positive affirmation to the principle of equality by requiring member states to take appropriate measures in ensuring their full development and advancement.
The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action seeks to ensure that women’s issues remain on top of the international agenda.
On the other hand, the Security Council adopted resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, which calls for the increased participation of women and the incorporation of gender perspectives in all UN peace and security efforts, including participation of women in decision-making and peace processes, gender perspectives in training and peacekeeping as well as gender mainstreaming. Gender diversity yields better outcomes in political decision-making. It is also argued that women’s role in political processes greatly improves democratic outcomes as supported by the Southern African Development Community Gender and Development Protocol
ACDEG argues that there is no democracy without women’s empowerment as cited in Chapter 2, Article 2 (Part 11) of the document. Chapter 3 promotes gender equality in public and private institutions, while Chapter 4, Article 8 encourages adoption of legislative and administrative measures to guarantee the rights of women, ethnic minorities, migrants, people with disabilities and other marginalised and vulnerable social groups.
Chapter 9, Article 29 further states that State Parties shall create the necessary conditions for full and active participation of women in decision making processes in all structures as this is a fundamental element in the promotion and exercise of a democratic culture. Enhancing women’s 50/50 representation in politics has gained traction in recent times but it back dates to the 2008 Sadc Gender Development Protocol which called for equal participation of women and men in politics and public office.
Female politicians across the world continue to work hard to gain more ground in politics and other decision making positions as envisioned by the 1997 Universal Declaration on Democracy.
This document states that the achievement of democracy presupposes a genuine partnership between men and women in the conduct of society’s affairs.
Zim’s politicians come to the party
Local parliamentarians have been going through capacity building programmes on ACDEG implementation through the support of ActionAid Zimbabwe under the theme ‘Mobilising Parliamentary support for the ratification and domestication of ACDEG’.
As stated in ACDEG Chapter 9, there is need to promote partnerships between Government, civil society and the private sector. In that regard, the Parliament of Zimbabwe signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Action Aid Zimbabwe to unpack the principles in ACDEG.
ActionAid Country Director, Joy Mabenge, said there is need to capacitate Parliament so that the country can enjoy good governance.
“We are interested in social justice, gender equality and poverty eradication. ACDEG is a key instrument in achieving this and it needs to be ratified and domesticated,” said the director.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Advocate Jacob Mundenda, urged Parliamentarians to be at the forefront of the ratification and domestication of the ACDEG. He also encouraged them to constantly refer to the country’s Constitution in the execution of their duties.
“The capacity building programmes were meant to enhance the Parliamentarians’ understanding of the provisions of the ACDEG and their relevance to the African governance architecture as well as the Zimbabwean governance matrix. Our Constitution is the country’s greatest legacy,” said Advocate Mudenda.
It is encouraging to note that male parliamentarians are supporting women in their quest to get equal representation.
“Women’s leadership and their equal participation is a human rights issue, which is key to democracy and lasting peace. Those are the prerequisites for achieving sustainable development,” said Headlands Member of Parliament, Honourable Christopher Peter Mutekwatekwa Chingosho.
Norton Member of Parliament, Honourable Temba Mliswa, said women have to fight for their cake aggressively.
He also highlighted that women constitute a larger portion of the country’s population, adding that this gives them an upper hand when it comes to voting as they can support each other through votes.
Honourable Memory Mbondiah said it is time for women to compete with men without any fear, adding that proportional representation and the quota system have served its purpose.
“We cannot keep relying on the quota system or proportional representation. Most women feel like it is some sort of favour. Let us compete on an equal footing. We do not want to feel like we are just accompanying men to Parliament.
“Political parties should also implement reforms to make them more gender-sensitive. They should ensure the inclusion of female candidates,” said Hon Mbondiah.
