By Memory Rasa
Women have been urged to unite and support each other when it comes to politics and other leadership positions as they constitute the majority of the population but still struggle to secure foothold in the political arena.
Patriarchy, violence, intimidation, negative perceptions, and limited access to resources in Zimbabwe are some of the forces they have to endure before attaining the so much yearned inclusivity in the decision making processes.
Speaking at the recently held documentary launch on History of Women’s Political Participation in Zimbabwe at Hyatt Regency: Meikles Hotel in Harare, former Zimbabwe Deputy Prime Minister and Senator Dr Thokozani Khupe said women themselves were a barrier to their inclusion in politics.
She said women were not able to support fellow women making it a nightmare for those who have the guts to test the political waters.
“Women are enemies to their own progress; they do not believe in themselves hence them not imagining that fellow women are capable of anything that’s why there are few women in leadership positions despite being the majority,” said Dr Khupe.
She said this giving context of how she was disqualified and downgraded despite her being the most senior member on the party’s hierarchy to lead MDC-T after the death of Morgan Tsvangirai.
She said she faced backlash and got little or no support from fellow women who were at the fore front of mocking her saying she could not lead a party, a position she aspired and was poised to take.
“The reason I am still standing here today is because I am a woman and women have to be strong, I had to have shock absorbers. There are no women in this country who have endured assaults like I did. Men called me all names one can think of, women had to nominate and support men they didn’t know just to get rid of me.
“However, I am a fighter, I am still fighting and even cancer will not win against me because women always win,” said Dr Khupe.
Speaking at the same event, women’s rights advocate, war veteran and former legislator Margaret Dongo said it was high time the Zimbabwean government recognize the importance of placing women in the forefront for the socio-economic development of the country.
“Women have always been capable of leading the country. We cannot continue getting handouts from men through quota systems as if we are not equal. I joined the liberation war when I was just 15 and the duties I was doing were equal to those done by men. We all fought in the war equally; what men can do, women can also do. There is no justification for men to occupy all seats and ministerial posts in this country, we all deserve equal opportunities,” said Dongo.
Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Virginia Muwanigwa said Zimbabwe has to support legal and policy framework, with Section 56 of the Zimbabwean Constitution that protect women’s right to vote and contest elections.
She said in practice, women face significant barriers hence a lot needed to be done to ensure that their civic rights were exercised and implored women to consider taking part in politics.
“To truly empower women in Zimbabwean politics, societal attitudes must change. Women must be viewed as equals, and their participation in politics should be supported and encouraged. By addressing these challenges, Zimbabwe can move towards a more equitable political landscape,” said Muwanigwa.
The launch was organized by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation For Freedom, a renowned organization that is dedicated to promoting democracy, human rights and economic freedom.
Women from various fields converged to showcasee the power of female leadership and collaboration. Other key figures who were present include Beatrice Karimatsenga- Nyamupinga who was standing in for the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Tsitsi Gezi, former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) vice president Senator Lynnette Karenyi- Kore, Masvingo Zanu PF youth quota legislator Naledi Maunganidze, WIPSU executive director Sakhile Sifelani and LEAD president Linda Masarira among others.
Despite making up more than half of the population, women hold only 23.3 percent of cabinet positions and 26.9 percent of parliamentary seats globally.
