The ManicaPost
Freedom Mutanda
Post Correspondent
TUESDAY (March 8) was International Women’s Day and it is befitting that more than half of the world’s population is in the conversation for a sustainable tomorrow.
For years, the patriarchal nature of the world has ensured that women continue to be second class citizens and their economic, social and political development continue to lag behind.
That has to stop!
Since 1908, women have been marching for equal rights at the workplace and in the political arena.
Soon after the First World War, piecemeal women’s rights were sanctioned, but the fact remains that women’s rights are being trampled upon despite governments’ efforts to ensure gender equality.
Yet it is not wholly true that tradition shunts the rights of women aside as if they are a piece of a cigarette thrown away by a chain smoker.
Women have always been viewed as mothers who must never be taken for granted.
This does not denegrate women at all as it shows they are indispensable.
However, they have been multi-taskers for a long time and sadly their efforts are not adequately recognised by men.
This, fortunately, is changing.
This year’s International Women’s Day’s theme was ‘Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.’
lt is important to note that theory alone cannot catapult women to the helm of multi-national companies or political office.
Action should therefore be the buzz word if the aspirations of women are to be realised.
This year’s focus is #Break the bias.
Many a time, bias is thrown into the mix when it comes to employment creation, resulting in female applicants failing to make it onto the short list.
It may not have anything to do with her ability or aptitude, but the mere fact that she is a woman.
Action is also recognised by how we respond to women and girl abuse in our communities.
Many parents have handed over their under-age daughters to adult males for ‘marriage’.
The community looks aside and hopes for the best.
Such men are walking scot free and continue to abuse young girls.
This is wrong.
Action requires everyone privy to the crime to go and report to the relevant authorities so as to bring the person to justice.
More women should also excel in politics.
Gone are the days when men would take advantage of the division among women to take up political posts and promulgate anti-women legislation.
For starters, the political parties have to set aside certain seats for aspiring female leaders.
It is good that our national Constitution already has a provision for a women’s quota.
At the same time, the women can go on and contest against males in their constituencies.
Women’s achievements have to be celebrated.
They are not as fragile as many people think.
For example, many women, including Mbuya Nehanda, participated in the country’s liberation war.
Writers ought to continue to highlight women’s achievements.
In the past, very few women trained as medical doctors, engineers, pharmacists, accountants or lawyers, with many parents saying the careers were meant for males.
However things are changing now as many women are exceling in these fields.
According to the United Nations’ Secretary General, Mr Antonio Guterez, women account for 70 percent of health workers all over the world.
Sadly, a number of pregnant women die at childbirth in spite of their counterparts being the frontline workers.
There should be zero tolerance to maternal deaths in our beautiful country.
Educating the girl child is one way of helping women realise their potential.
Quality education for the girl child empowers women.
A woman is not inferior to a man in any way.
As a country, Zimbabwe has made education compulsory and the BEAM (Basic Education Assistance Module) initiative insists that half of the beneficiaries must be female.
Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic has reversed the developments as early child marriages have affected enrollment of girls in schools.
A bold policy pronouncement that girls who fall pregnant must continue with their education has made it easy for girls who are mothers to have another chance in school.
This is commendable.
Throughout this month, everyone must join in advocating for gender equality for a sustainable tomorrow.
Strike the #Break the bias pose in solidarity with women as we celebrate them.
