InfocusNews 07-11 March 2022
that all our existing pro equality policies are enacted and must promote equal representation of women in public systems. craft laws that protect the rights of women and programming that supports women’s initiatives,” she said. Speaking during the Twitterview, Permanent Ngoma, Programmes Manager at WILD explained the work that the organisation is addressing gender disparity. She further explained the #GetTheBalanceRight Campaign and how it seeks to encourage women to participate in politcal leadership.
Government urged to outlaw cultural practices to promote equal representation of women
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“The campaign is aimed at amplifying women’s voices, bridging the gaps that have seen women being relegated to the periphery of electoral processes which has seen them withdrawing from public leadership and politics. The campaign mainly targets political parties with the authority and power to redress gender power imbalances and structural barriers facing political party policies and practices on gender equality,” added Ngoma.
HE Government must outlaw harmful practices, systematic bias, ensure that all existing pro equality policies are enacted and must promote equal representation of women in public systems. These sentiments were raised during a session that was featured during a 11-hour long Twitterview that was facilitated by Women’s Institute for Leadership Development (WILD) and Culxure Mag in commemoration of the International Women’s Day, yesterday (8 March 2022).
spaces from Malawi, Zambia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, from within sports journalism, Human Rights Commission, performing arts, public leadership and business and entrepreneurship. Presenting on Culture and Women’s Participation in Leadership, Andile Tshuma, a journalism instructor at NUST and development practitioner cited the need for government to outlaw practices that deter women from participating in leadership and public life.
“Laws and policies that promote gender equality send a positive message to women about their role in the country. There is also a need to ensure the implementation of policies that promote gender equality,” she reiterated.
The Twitterview featured voices from women occupying leadership
“Government must outlaw harmful practices, systematic bias, ensure
Also present for the Twitterview, Mumbi Namwawa, a Frontline Human Rights Defender who is
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InfocusNews based in Zambia highlighted: “The journey of leadership is not easy and harder for women, but that does not mean you should not be in it.” Presenting on the participation of women in politics, the Programmes Manager at We Lead Trust, Maybe Gave pointed out that what has made women stand out against all the setbacks is their resilience, which is what we are celebrating on this International Women’s Day and throughout the month of March. Speaking during the Twitterview, Zenani Masuku, Founder and Executive Director of African Institute for Ending Bullying Depression and Suicide (AFRIBS) elaborated on the nexus between mental health and productivity, stressing that failing to attend to one’s mental and emotional health can lead to burnout and, depending on the type of job and responsibilities, neglecting their mental health can trigger mental illnesses like anxiety and depression. Tracy Ndlovu, a sports caster at Khulumani FM spoke at length on the role that family has in instilling self-belief in a girl as she is growing. According to Ndlovu, “Families play a very important role in discovering talents, support and encouragement especially to young girls showing interest in sports. A girl supported by family is unstoppable. Everything starts at home.” During the Twitterview, Dalubuhle
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Sibanda, the Matabeleland Regional Coordinator at Zimbabwe Gender Commission highlighted how the Commission has been working towards raising awareness about gender equality within schools. He cited how commemorations such as the Day of the African Child continue to pave the way for the Commission to attract the attention of children in the Bulawayo City Junior Council. Grace Wezi Jere, Principal Gender and Women’s Rights Officer at the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC), cite the roles that commissions play in safeguarding the rights of citizens. She cited that timeously Human Rights institutions have called out governments for human rights violations. “A good example are recent efforts by Human Rights institutions calling for inclusive measures for Africans in Ukraine,” added Jere. Nomalanga Ncube, a Success Coach and Entrepreneur stated the work she is conducting with women entrepreneurs. She highlighted that she works with start-ups from Bulawayo, where she targets women and offers them trainings on financial literacy. Nkanyeziyethu Malunga, Designer and Founder of GANU brought to light the challenges that she has encountered as a self-taught designer. “As a self-taught designer, I’ve had to fail fast to see the silver lining. Driven by curiosity and need to share our Zimbabwean/ African fashion narrative, I’ve learnt the
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importance of balancing humility and being stern in an environment that wants you to sacrifice one way or the other,” she added. Hape Mokhele, a Poet from South Africa explained the essence of celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD). “The day for me, serves as a reminder that women need to realize their innate power and the great commanding voices they possess and the need to ascertain that they are not objects worth being trophied but human beings with morals and values, worthy of being respected,” added Mokhele. Vuyo Brown, a Bulawayo based Award winning musician highlighted the significance of having role models and mentors as an artist. “Having someone who has gone before you showing you the ropes is priceless. It is good for women to have someone show them “it’s possible“, “your dreams are relevant” and “your voice is necessary.” A mentee is bound to do it better, suffer less, simply because someone showed them,” added Brown. Tariro Gurure, an Inclusion Practitioner cited that bullying should not be tolerated and the need for more awareness raising around cyber bullying. “Bullies are people like us, stand up to bullies and still do what you love. Abuse is not tolerated but we need to raise awareness on the effects of cyber bullying,” said Gurure.
InfocusNews
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InfocusNews and Development Practitioner said there has been so many changes in the treatment of women and opening up of spaces for them to lead within the public and private sector since Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action of 1995.
Women’s Month celebrations and reviews of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action
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LTHOUGH women in Zimbabwe have seized the opportunities and benefits of education and participation in the labour force in the recent past, they still face challenges in getting full access to such opportunities. On the social side, women are more likely to suffer abuse and violence than men which in the end affects their health and well-being. Women are less likely than men to be in paid employment, they tend to engage more in unpaid care work than men, and overall, they work more hours than men in non-economic activities. In an interview, Andile Tshuma, Journalism Instructor at NUST facebook.com/wildtrustzim |
“We have gone through 27 years of growth and seen policies being enacted and laws coming up even from SADC and beyond. However, while we see these laws crafted, we need action,” said Tshuma. “So much still needs to be done we have all instruments to ensure women get fair treatment and enjoy their rights but no action. We need to enforce these laws and ensure that communities comply with laws that have been crafted.” Tshuma said while aiming for the ideal society where women are emancipated, it is also good to look back and reflect on how far the country has come. “We have women leading in STEM, so many enrolled in universities and industry leaders. We still have so much patriarchal tendencies that persist and other negatives that hinder women.” This week Zimbabwean women also joined forces in marking the International Women’s Day with calls for action against all forms of bias. The day also saw activists and women globally lobbying for policies to address climate change for a sustainable future. Women in reality are more vulnerable to climate change impacts
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than men, as they constitute the majority of the world’s poor and are more dependent on the natural resources which climate change threatens the most. At the same time, women and girls are effective and powerful leaders and change-makers for climate adaptation and mitigation. The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) called on the Government to consider reviewing policies on climate change to help women enjoy their rights. “It is against this background that we seek to highlight and celebrate these women and girls leading the drive towards sustainable agriculture through adoption of agroecology principles and practice. As the nation commemorates IWD, ZHRC reminds that so much as women are vulnerable to climate change effects, they are also effective actors or agents of change in relation to both mitigation and adaptation,” read the statement. “Women often have a strong body of knowledge and expertise that can be used in climate change mitigation, disaster reduction and adaptation strategies. In addition, women’s responsibilities as stewards of natural resources in communities and in household resources, positions them well to contribute to the livelihood strategies adapted to changing environmental realities.” Sustainable Development Goal 5 urges State Parties to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls in all aspects
InfocusNews including ending gender disparities, eliminating violence against women and girls, eliminating early and forced marriages and securing equal participation and opportunities. To this the ZHRC said: “It is therefore important to identify gender sensitive strategies taking cognisance of equitable participation of women in decision making processes to respond to the environmental and humanitarian crises caused by climate change. There should be gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”. Dalubuhle Sibanda, Matabeleland
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Regional Coordinator at Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) said climate change impacts men and women differently, given their different roles and responsibilities at household and community levels.
ing to the existing unfair labour burden borne by women and girls.”
“Women and girls face particular vulnerabilities resulting from cultural norms and lower socio-economic status in society. Their domestic roles often make them disproportionate users of natural resources such as water, firewood and forest products,” said Sibanda.
“Restricted land rights, lack of access to financial resources, training and technology, and limited access to decision-making positions often prevent them from being active agents who play a full role in tackling climate change and other environmental challenges (International Union for Conservation of Nature 2015).”
“With climate change, these tasks are becoming more arduous, add-
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Sibanda added that the preoccupation with household functions has resulted in further loss of control by women, over their destiny.
@afribszimbabwe @Nkanyeziyethu
@Perngoma
“Consciously creating platforms to empower each other as women. Fixing each other’s crowns is a simple statement but the gender biased environment overlooks the strong unique traits that allow for us to compliment each other as women.”
“Failing to take the step of going for a mental health assessment after recognising mental health exhaustion that is either triggering unpleasant feelings, emotions or unhealthy behaviours can affect a woman’s ability to maltitask or work productively”
“Women’s organisations should come together to form a strong women’s movement that will put pressure to push for policy to continue progress towards gender equality”
@tracyNdlo “Families play a very important role in discovering talents, supporting and offering encouragement especially to young girls showing interest in sports. A girl supported by family is unstoppable. Everything starts at home”
@MumbiNamwawa “The journey of leadership is not easy and harder for women, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be in it. It’s infact a call for your presence to bring the dream of women inclusion to life. We here with you, and for you.”
@GaveMaybe
@andile_tshuma “We cannot exist outside of our culture, therefore cultural transformation will enable women to lead, if harmful culture is eliminated. Integrate culture and leadership to help women in their diversity live fully and engage in life’s processes completely”
“Every woman deserves to be celebrated, women in politics are often attacked and bullied but their resilience keeps them going. They are strong women because of that they deserve to be celebrated”
InfocusNews
PVO Bill likely to reverse gains in improving livelihoods of vulnerable Zimbabweans
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HE proposed Private Voluntary Organizations (PVO) Bill by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare is likely to reverse developmental gains made in improving livelihoods of vulnerable Zimbabweans over the past years. Residents and Community-Based Organizations said the public hearings were prematurely conducted as more than 80 percent of people do not even have a proper understanding of the Bill and its proposed amendments hence it was unwise for Parliamentarians to seek views from people who do not know. Speaking during the just ended hearings in Bulawayo, residents said the Amendment was one of the Government’s ploys to control everything while people suffer. Helen Mpofu said the Bill was meant to destroy the good that Non-Profit Organizations were doing for the people. “I am saddened when people come all the way from Harare to destroy
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the good that these organizations have been doing. For example, no Government officials bothered to give us or share the Constitution but its the same NGOs who have gone out their way to ensure we know the Constitution. One day I walked 5km to access grain only to be told that it was districted on party basis and its only NGOs who have been sustaining us even food wise because leaders have failed.” “You are just here to gather our views as you will not consider them, you will do what you want at the end of the day in Parliament. We love NGO as they are non-partisan unlike our government programmes. The food program is one of the classic examples of how we have been disadvantaged because we do not support a certain party. Many people are suffering in rural areas and are forced to possess a certain party card to be able to access food and agricultural inputs. The same NGOs taught us about gender equality and are the reason why we have laws that are aimed
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at addressing social injustices such as Gender Based Violence (GBV),” she said. Marita Moyo who said she is representing people with disabilities said implementing the amended Bill will leave their community without help as social welfare has been failing to meet their basic needs. “Once stringent laws are implemented against PVOs you make my life difficult as social welfare is not helping so we do not need all these conditions.” “NGOs have done nothing but create an important space for us to engage and discuss issues that affect us. This Bill comes in to close and destroy that space and we already feel violated,” she added. Zalobuhle Ngwenya, a Legal Advisor at Youths for Today and Tomorrow said the Amendments are a clear violation of the law and the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
InfocusNews “We cannot be forced to go and re-register as PVOs and sadly no consultation was conducted before the Bill was crafted which shows there could be an underlying agenda behind this,” she said. In a statement, Women Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence (WALPE) said women must speak against the Bill Amendments as they are stringent. “The Bill has devastating so-
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cio-economic and political implications on citizens and particularly the women constituency that WALPE represents. Women’s rights organizations have made great strides towards the reduction of gender-based violence, eradication of child marriages, capacitation of women to take up leadership positions, awareness raising on sexual reproductive health rights (SRHR) and improving the welfare of various women in marginalized communities,
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giving them a voice to challenge laws, policies and practices that have repressed them for long,” read the statement. “This Bill is a set back to the achievement of democracy, socio-economic development and the realization of constitutionally guaranteed provisions such as Section 17, 56 and 80 that calls for gender equality.”
The Legal Space
Lack of access to documentation: one of the most concerning human rights violations
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arriers on access to national documents in Zimbabwe remains one of the most concerning human rights violations as it deprives the affected citizens their Constitutional rights. Over the years different pressure groups have advocated for policies that will enable citizens to access documentation with ease including the removal of requirements that pose as barriers.
Section 35 (3) (c) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe provides that citizens are entitled to birth certificates and other identity documents issued by the State. The failure to avail documentation to citizens is also an infringement of other rights such as the rights of children (Section 19), youths (Section 20), human dignity (Section 51), freedom of movement and residence (Section 66) amongst others.
By Mosupatsila Nare
In the just ended Mobile Biometric Voter Registration Blitz that was being conducted by Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), a significant number of people were turned away from registering to vote due to the lack of National Identity cards. Such circumstances do not only deprive citizens from practising their democratic rights but however, reverse the gains of the Constitution of Zimbabwe which advocates for human dignity and the protection of human rights.
Citizens especially in rural areas face challenges with regards to access to documentation especially as they travel long distances to central registry centres. Lack of documentation has seen citizens failing to register to vote in preparation for the 2023 elections which is a violation of their voting rights as set out in Section 67 (3) (a) which provides that every Zimbabwean citizen who is of or over 18 years of age has the right to vote in all elections and referendums. facebook.com/wildtrustzim |
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In its session on the 2nd of March 2022, the National Assembly deliberated on access to documentation and engaged the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage on the systems in place in expediating the process of access to documentation. The House expressed the importance of the process especially in ensuring that citizens obtain the requisite documentation to enable them to register to vote in light of the upcoming 2023 elections. During the sitting, Honourable R.R Nyathi directed a question to the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Honourable Kazembe where he highlighted that ZEC has been conducting a mobile voter registration exercise. He then highlighted that he is privy that the Ministry of Home Affairs is intending to supplement this exercise through providing access to documentation to members of the public especially in remote areas. Honourable R.R. Nyathi then submitted an enquiry on the plans of the Ministry in this regard. In response, Honourable Kazembe highlighted that the Ministry is planning to roll out a mobile registration programme to ensure that services on access to documentation are availed as close to citizens as possible. He went on to inform the House that resource mobilisation for the programme has commenced with the Minister of Finance having allocated some resources towards the exercise. Honourable Kazembe notified the
The Legal Space House that the Ministry intends to start rolling out the mobile registration programme as from 1 April 2022.
of solutions ahead of the planned mobile documentation programme in addressing challenges that arise in different provinces.
Honourable Toffa then raised a supplementary question to Honourable Kazembe enquiring on what systems and mechanisms the Ministry has put in place to enhance access to birth certificates for citizens. Making her submission Honourable Toffa highlighted that she was raising her point based on some experiences from Bulawayo. She highlighted that some citizens are facing challenges in getting birth certificates from Bulawayo because they were born for instance in Nkayi and Tsholotsho hence being informed that they can only access the documentation from their place of birth.
Adding to the deliberations Honourable Ndebele raised a question on efficiency in sites such as in Bulawayo where only 40 people per day are served and provided identity documents. Honourable Ndebele raised concern as he said that this is just a drop in the ocean, given the huge numbers of people that sleep in these queues. He enquired what practical measures the Ministry is undertaking policy-wise, to increase that number from 40 to considerable numbers as currently citizens are sleeping in queues posing security risks to vulnerable citizens especially the elderly, women and children.
In response Honourable Kazembe highlighted that ordinarily children are supposed to obtain birth certificates when they are born but went on to acknowledge that there are instances where there are difficulties in this regard which the Ministry is aware of. Honourable Kazembe went on to highlight that there are certain areas like Tsholotsho and Binga where such incidents have been noted. Honourable Kazembe then informed the House that the Ministry has invited all Provincial Registrars to Harare to discuss challenges on access to documentation from their respective provinces. He said this is meant to promote co-creation
In response Honourable Kazembe said the Ministry is aware that there are serious challenges where people are being limited to certain numbers. He highlighted that the biggest problem the Ministry has been struggling with is procurement of consumables. Honourable Kazembe also highlighted that the other challenge that the Ministry is facing is the backlog resulting from the COVID-19 lockdowns where documents could not be issued for a prolonged period. He said that with the upcoming mobile registration, the Ministry intends to issue up to two million IDs and birth certificates and clear the backlog, ensuring that no one
is left behind. Honourable Markham then enquired from the Honourable Minister whether in areas where there are high numbers of non-documented people sufficient time will be given to document those people. He also enquired whether in situations where a child or a person seeking identification and both parents are either undocumented or untraceable anything will be done in facilitating documentation for them. Honourable Kazembe responded by highlighting that the purpose of the Ministry meeting with Provincial Directors in Harare was also to discuss the stringent requirements that people are struggling to get in order to access documentation. Honourable Kazembe highlighted that post the meeting, the Ministry will be able to come up with proposed policies that will enable citizens to access identity documents, especially those who might not have both parents alive and those who may be in different circumstances. The proposed mobile documentation programme is a welcome move, however there is need for Government to ensure that citizens are able to access documentation at all times and address the challenges highlighted by Honourable Kazembe to ensure that citizens can fully access their right to documentation.
“...the Ministry is planning to roll out a mobile registration programme to ensure that services on access to documentation are availed...” facebook.com/wildtrustzim |
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InfocusNews equality, recognition of the rights of women, youths and children, recognition of the rights of cultural groups, requirement of free and full consent to marriage, and the ban on the pledging of children in marriage. The Act also provides for equality of rights and obligations of spouses during marriage and at dissolution, provision for the protection of any children of a marriage upon dissolution, the paramountcy of the best interests of the child, a child being a person under the age of 18 years and protection of children from sexual exploitation.
Legislative Reform: Bills Alert
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n the week 7 – 11 March 2022, several Bills underwent different stages during the sitting of the National Assembly. The National Assembly is currently working on a large number of laws in pursuance of aligning them to the Constitution of Zimbabwe (2013) as part of the legislative reform agenda. In this feature, three Bills will be highlighted. By Mosupatsila Nare Marriage Bill 2019 The National Assembly finally passed the Marriages Bill of 2019 into law on Tuesday the 8th of March 2022 after a prolonged period of debates with regards to some of its clauses. The Marriage Bill, which is now law, governs marriages in Zimbabwe in line with the Constitution of 2013. The following are the main Constitutional principles which the new Marriages Act embodies: gender facebook.com/wildtrustzim |
Public Finance Management Amendment Bill B. 4, 2021 This Bill underwent the second reading stage in the National Assembly whereby the relevant Minister explains the principles of the Bill to the House. The debate on the Bill then ensues, if any amendments are proposed to the Bill, the House may refer the bill back to the Committee to make the necessary amendments for the Committee Stage. Gazetted on the 31st of March 2021, the Bill seeks to amend the Public Finance Management Act [Chapter 22:19] in order to align it with the provisions of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. The Bill makes provision for Parliamentary oversight of State revenues and expenditure. The Bill also makes provision for Parliament to monitor and oversee public finances, while stating the responsibilities of a Parliamentary Committee on budgets.
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Zimbabwe Independent Complaints Commission Bill H.B. 5, 2020 During the National Assembly sitting, this Bill underwent the Committee stage. At this stage, the whole House resolves into a Committee for the purpose of considering the Bill in detail clause by clause. The guiding principle is that the committee should make such amendments in the Bill as may seem likely to render it more acceptable. This Bill seeks to provide for an independent complaints mechanism for members of the public against members of the security services pursuant to Section 210 of the Constitution. The complaints mechanism is to be mediated by a body which is independent from each of the security services, namely the Police, Defence, Prisons and Correctional and Intelligence Services. For this purpose, the Bill establishes a Commission to carry out this function with a view to remedying any harm caused by any misconduct on the part of any member of the security services. This Bill was gazetted on Tuesday 24 November 2020.
“The Act also provides for equality of rights and obligations of spouses during marriage...”
Community Voices International Women’s Day Celebrated through Twitter
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omen’s Institute for Leadership Development (WILD) and Culxure Mag took the International Women’s Day commemorations to Twitter to inflate efforts towards ensuring that women support each other. By Joleen Marara Every year, March 8 is dedicated towards the women’s rights movement, honoring and uplifting women in different spheres for their achievements. During one of the Twitterviews, Nomalanga Ncube, Success Coach and Entrepreneur said the theme meant: “All women can become successful and wealthy as other women in the world who are successful. They just need to start now with what they have.”
However, Ncube said: “Women are not taking up space in leadership, in employment circles but they are doing good in startups. More African women are starting businesses compared to their male counterparts.” Jennifer Chiveya, a Gender Activist and Poet added that women are indeed taking up space in the business sector. “That is true, most small owned businesses are owned by women, I used to think business was not my thing till I woke up and realised I was living in Zimbabwe.”
“Consciously creating platforms to empower each other as women. Fixing each other’s crowns is a simple statement but the gender biased environment overlooks the strong unique traits that allow for us to complement each other as women,” added Nkanyeziyethu Malunga, Designer and Founder of GANU. Women said it was important for business women to carry out Corporate Social Responsibility aimed at uplifting each other. facebook.com/wildtrustzim |
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Most women have come across a lot hurdles to get to where they are today. “Being heard, particularly in settings where only well-known gender and women’s rights activists were and are recognised was one of the biggest hurdles to overcome,” said Grace Wezi Jere, Principal Gender and Women’s Rights Officer at Malawi Human Rights Commission. Ncube added: “Women should continue to fight for their rights by seating at the table to make decisions that will benefit other women. Men should recognise that women are capable leaders. Together we can break the bias for a better society and generation equality.”
Electoral Information Blitz
Women call for a review of the country’s political systems
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OMEN have called on the Government of the day to review country’s political systems with the mandate of creating a conducive environment that will enhance women’s participation in politics. These sentiments came to light following the low turnout of female candidates in the soon to be held March 26 by-elections, with just 15 percent of nominated candidates being female. Statistics show that from a total of 61 candidates who filed their papers for the forthfacebook.com/wildtrustzim |
coming by-elections, only 13 are women in Bulawayo Metropolitan and Matabeleland North Province.
ing, Sichelesile Mahlangu said the turnout of women was disheartening.
Of the 13 women, only one registered to contest in the National Assembly in Bulawayo’s Pumula constituency and the rest for local authority vacant seats. Bulawayo has two constituencies, Pumula and Nkulumane and nine council seats that are vacant.
“I have been nominated to consent for the same Constituency and sadly there is no single woman who filed her papers so that at least I have competition from fellow sisters. I do not know what is really happening but sisters need to come on board and brave all these challenges that come with politics because we need them to take up these political positions,” said Mahlangu.
Sakhile Sifelani Ngoma, the Executive Director at Women in Politics Support Unit (WIPSU) said there is need to review political systems to create a conducive environment for female politicians. “Women are coming forward as candidates for elections yet they contest those elections under incredibly difficult and unfair conditions,” she said. “I am confident that we have willing and competent women but as long as this prevalent environment is not addressed, we will have just a handful vying for political positions, be it in Local Authority or Parliament.” The development confirms fears that women are slowly divorcing themselves from politics due to failure by parties to enact reforms that are in favour of equal representation of women, stringent political policies and funding constraints to run successful campaigns. Recalled Pumula legislator who is one of the 13 women contest-
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“There have been inconsistencies with the system and I know that these recalls also contributed to women lagging behind. Honestly, we will not be able to achieve equality when we let men participate in politics as if women do not exist, we are the majority in terms of numbers.” Emerging Labour Economic Afrikaan Democrats (LEAD) president, Linda Masarira also bemoaned the development urging political parties to increase efforts to ensure women fully participate in politics. Speaking during the International Women’s Day on Tuesday, Masarira said the steady decrease in women’s political participation was a result of entrenched stereotypes. “The decline in women’s participation in electoral processes continues as only 15% of the duly
Electoral Information Blitz nominated candidates for the 26 March by-elections are women. In Zimbabwe, women continue to be marginalized by structural deformities in our cultural, social, religious and political stereotypes. Women are still viewed as second class citizens which has stifled full realization of women’s rights on our country.” Zimbabwe has progressive gender equality laws to support women’s
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representation and participation in public administration, politics and decision making, yet they are not fully implemented. Although important progress has been made in women’s representation in national politics, the results still fall short of international commitments, and progress towards equality is far too slow. As the 2019 Global Gender Gap
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report notes, the largest disparity is in women’s political participation. In Sub-Saharan Africa it will take at least 135 years to close the gender gap based on current trends. A 2017 study by Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) also shows that provided a grim 74% of women said they were not interested in participating in elections for fear of violence.
Electoral Information Blitz
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Electoral Information Blitz
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