Link between democracy, gender equality

11 Dec, 2020 - 00:12 0 Views

The ManicaPost

Daphne Machiri

Post Correspondent

Democracy entails representation of both men and women, and the current low levels of women in politics depicts a democratic deficit.

Some women have neglected the roles they are supposed to play in the country’s economy and politics for various reasons.

Gender gaps in participation and representation are common in new democracies, both at the elite level and at the grassroots.  Yet an increase in the number of women in politics is crucial for the advancement of women’s rights and attainment of Sustainable Development Goals.

Political parties affect the political participation of women. They are influential in determining which issues inform the political debate, they formulate policy and set governance priorities. Therefore they are strategically placed to address women’s concerns.

Unfortunately, political parties have mixed records in addressing gender issues in governance and electoral processes. The discourse on women’s involvement in politics and political decision making often focuses on certain basic rights without which the democratic principle of equality of persons cannot be attained.

The principle of equality between women and men underpins basic human rights, and this lies at the core of democracy. Women’s participation and representation are critical in the sustenance of democracy.

Full political participation will become a reality for women when quotas and set asides become a relic of the past, when access in participatory institutions at all levels is considered a right, and women no longer feel compelled to wage campaigns and stage protests in order to have a say in the decisions that affect their lives, be it social, political or economic.

Countries such as Rwanda, Bolivia and Sweden have done well in gender mainstreaming their political institutions with over 50 percent of women in positions of authority.

But locally, gender disparities in electoral politics still exist as evidenced during the 2018, thus putting into question all past efforts in improving the status of women in politics.

The solitary female voices one encounters in political circles are unsatisfactory to effect the changes that are so important to women. Their capacities as representatives, policy makers and decision takers are constrained by their numbers.

Women need the numbers to make those decisions and make them stick. In such low numbers, most women who occupy high offices tend to be relegated and are concentrated in social areas rather than legal, economic, political and technical functions of Government and other high institutions.

It appears as if women face a number of impediments in accessing political power. Women in politics often cite lack of finances as one of their impediments as they struggle to raise the funds needed to run a campaign.

Resistance from the male-dominated political parties and a lack of political will have also seen political parties failing to give women the much needed opportunities, hence there is need for constitutional review processes within political parties.

Indeed, the electoral processes must begin with gender sensitive and responsive political party policies in compliance with the Constitution. This  lacking becomes one of the reasons why women have often recorded abysmal results in elections.

Despite all these hurdles, Zimbabwe as a signatory to various documents upholding women’s rights has put in place the necessary mechanisms to eliminate gender discrimination.

These include the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (Cedaw), the Beijing Platform for Action, the Beijing Declaration, the Sadc Protocol on Gender and Development, the Maputo Protocol, the United Nations Agenda 2030 and African Charter on Democracy Elections and Governance, among many others.

The Constitution of Zimbabwe also has provisions which seeks to empower women and uphold their rights. Sections 17 and 80 of the Constitution provides for gender balance by ensuring that women participate in all spheres of society, including politics. Section 56 provides for gender equality and non-discrimination.

A National Gender Policy was also adopted in 2004. It was revised in 2016 and is currently under review.

The Gender Audit of the Main Political Parties in Zimbabwe and the Model Gender Policy for Political Parties’ audit research which was recently commissioned by the Zimbabwe Gender Commission covered the Zanu PF, MDC-A and MDC-T.

It provided an intrinsic opportunity for reflection and interrogation of political party processes. This enabled political actors to identify the stumbling blocks in women’s political participation.

Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe National vice chairperson Mrs Rejoice Nharaunda-Makawa also spoke about the need for gender parity in politics.

“Gender parity is a cause for concern as the critical positions are pre-dominantly male dominated, 24 percent of global women in Parliament is disheartening, men say vakadzi vanotiruzisa, meaning they have no confidence in us, have they ever tried us tikavaruzisa?

“Article 12 of the Sadc Gender Protocol advocates for 50/50 threshold for both genders in decision making. But only 31 percent of our representatives in Parliament are women. This shows we still have a long way to go,” said Mrs Nharaunda-Makawa.

“The political landscape remains male dominated. Women need to support each other instead of pulling each other down. It is up to the women who are already in top positions to begin speaking about the inequality gaps that need to be addressed.

“They also need to define and catalyse strategy from grassroots up to national level. If this can’t be achieved attaining democracy will remain a fallacy,” she said.

Honourable Mabel Chinomona, Zanu PF Secretary for Women Affairs, commended Zimbabwe’s tireless efforts in ensuring gender equality.

“As Zanu PF we have experienced radical transformation since the formation of the party and this has been guided by the party Constitution, Congress and Conference resolutions.

“The audit is indeed historic and laudable as it shall lead in pursuit of best practices of a modernised society. As such the Zanu PF organs — the main wing, Women’s League, Youth League and the War Veterans League — have been fine-tuned to address this,” said Hon Chinomonma.

She said the ruling party is moving towards achieving gender equality as Government has made significant strides in implementing various measures, policies and support mechanisms.

“It our conviction that the new Model Gender Policy will further consolidate the milestone made following the implementation of the National Gender Policy. Efforts to promote gender equality include but are not limited to the Domestic Violence Act, Women Parliamentary Caucus, and Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Gender and the Inter-ministerial Committee on Gender.

“The Electoral Act was amended to allow proportional representation in the National Assembly, where 60 seats are reserved for women. The Zebra system in Senate is also encouraging representation of women,” said Hon Chinomona.

“It is important to note that the quota system is a temporary measure which is set to expire by 2023, therefore political parties need to strongly consider revisiting their legal instruments to ensure a gender balanced political process,” she said.

MDC-A Secretary for International Relations, Ms Gladys Hlatywayo lauded ZGC’s work in making sure that gender equality is a reality in the country.

“As a party we are still lagging behind but we have done some remarkable work in making sure that women participate in political spaces and processes. Our vice president Lynette Karenyi Kore is a woman,” said Ms Hlatywayo.

She also said the participation of women in politics is central to the democratic development of society, which is pivotal in the realization of SDGs, particularly SDG5 which seeks to attain gender equality.

“Political parties are important vehicles for women’s participation in politics as they are the primary and most effective structures through which women become politically engaged and get elected.

“They are also important in the recruitment, nomination and election of candidates for public office,” said Ms Hlatywayo.

Honourable Gift Chimanikire said it is high time for proper implementation.

“Execution has to be the next step if Zimbabwe wants to achieve democracy. Parliament should ensure that the laws are aligned to provisions in the Constitution as well as other international and regional treaties,” he said.

Zimbabwe Gender Commission chairperson, Commissioner Margret Mukahanana-Sangarwe said the political spectrum is central to the nation’s development process and remains a fundamental pillar in achieving democracy.

“The Gender Audit was long overdue and was conducted in the spirit of influencing reform of political party constitutions and policies,” said Commissioner Mukahanana-Sangarwe.

She said the audit will strengthen mainstreaming capacity of political parties through institutionalisation of gender equality and adherence to gender party principles.

“It will encourage formulation of gender responsive models and measure their adoption of gender equality in party structures, processes and activities,” she said.

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