Courage Dutiro
Masvingo Urban ward 7 March 2022 by-election female contestant has described the politically charged atmosphere as partially safe for 2023 general elections aspiring female candidates.
Everjoy Chidindi who contested in the 2022 local authority by-elections under the Labour Economists and Afrikan Democrats (LEAD) ticket said the situation in the country is so far on the unsafe side for aspiring female candidates.
“Even though quarrels and arguments are there, as a political analyst I can say the political atmosphere is moderately safe for female candidates,” said Chidindi.
She also said the political environment is not conducive for females as some people do not co-exist with others properly.
“There are some people who have radicalism as a character and it’s very difficult to convince them to co-exist with others peacefully so I can say the atmosphere is mild for female participants,” she added.
During the 2022 March by-elections, only four female candidates contested in Masvingo province with the other candidates being Getrude Chuma of MDC Alliance who also contested ward 7 of Masvingo Urban while Thokozile Muchuchuti also contested ward 4. In Chivi South constituency Faith Chuma contested the parliamentary by-election.
Muchuchuti case was an example of how unsafe the political environment is for female candidates as she was exposed to some form of harassment from fellow party rivals as well as supporters. The party Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) also was against her representing it favoring the subsequent winner Alec Tabe.
Such an unsafe political environment has relegated women down the corridors of power resulting in hesitancy when it comes to contesting for leadership positions.
