InfocusNews 14 - 18 March 2022
public participation. Women who were selected into the WILD Leadership Mentoring School were drawn from Bulawayo, Gwanda, Plumtree, Umzingwane Rural District Council (URDC), and Lupane.
WILD Begins Second Cohort of Mentorship School
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his week, Women’s Institute for Leadership Development (WILD) facilitated its second cohort of the WILD Leadership Mentorship School with a group of diverse aspiring women leaders drawn from political leadership, public leadership, Civil Society Organisations (CSO), business entrepreneurship and media leadership. The selected women leaders upon complying to an application process that was done late last year after a call for applications was made.
It is envisaged that the WILD Leadership Mentoring School will run for a period of six months with an integrated approach to a series of Master Classes that seek to facebook.com/wildtrustzim |
advance women’s leadership skills and capacities through physical and online classes. The WILD Leadership Mentoring School shall focus on various topics such as Personal Mastery, Mental Health Pulse Check, the Charter of Feminist Principles for African Feminists and Financing for women Politicians. The WILD Leadership Mentoring School will build capacities ordinary women and female leaders in identified skills and knowledge gaps through structured mentorship, skills training, lectures, experiential learning, awareness raising on gender policies, laws and the Constitution to promote and protect women’s rights and
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Speaking during the first Stawisha Training that was conducted between Tuesday and Wednesday, Tambudzai Madzimure, She Leads Project Manager at HIVOS encouraged women to set time that allows them to take care of themselves. During her presentation, Madzimure urged women leaders to show up and support each other. Stawisha is a leadership approach that was developed by HIVOS working with partners from Malawi, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The approach opens up space for women to appreciate and celebrate who they are; inspire them to re-activate hopes and dreams for who they could still become; affirm the leadership roles they already hold in families, churches and communities and challenge them to take up leadership roles in other spheres. Women leaders present for the training acknowledged how the story telling exercise enabled them to understand some of the struggles that their peers.
InfocusNews Stawisha Leadership Approach
Mental Health Mastercalss
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InfocusNews
Mentees urged to prioritise mental health in their leadership journey
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omen’s Institute for Leadership Development conducted its orientation for the second cohort of mentees under the #SheLeads WILD Leadership Mentoring School. Yesterday’s session was on mental health, which was facilitated by Dr Nombulelo T. Crocco, who is a Clinical Psychologist. The Mental Health Master Class was a necessity, particularly at the orientation stage as it equiped mentees who are charged with leadership roles in their diverse sectors with skills on how to manage their mental health as this affects how they think, feel, and act overall, affecting their productivity. Dr Nombulelo T. Crocco took the mentees through a mental health assessment which she alluded as being a tried and tested method of facebook.com/wildtrustzim |
testing if one if mentally unwell. Following the discussion that was opened for everyone on the common myths around mental health, mentees gave a highlight of some of the myths. “There is a general perception that depression only affects whites or people in first world countries; mental illness is a sign of weakness; suicide is not driven by depression but by evil spirits; there is no such thing as mental health; one only has to pray,” said mentees. In a bid to demystify some of the facts around mental health, Dr Crocco assured that depression affects anyone regardless of their race financial state and physical strength. “We have to be aware that depression affects literally anyone, re-
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gardless of their race, and financial state. I hear a lot of people say they are suffering from depression, but depression does not happen after a period of two days. It can only be deemed depression after two weeks of deep sadness mixed with other factors like lashing out, migraines, forgetfulness, sleeping disorders,” added Dr Crocco. In her closing remarks, Dr. Crocco pleaded with mentees to prioritise their mental health by all means possible and to seek for treatment whenever the need arises. “There is no problem in this life that cannot be addressed. Suicide shouldn’t be the first way out. We also ought to celebrate the small things in life and always be kind to people, as we don’t know what they are going through,” said Dr Crooco.
InfocusNews supplies have been disrupted by the war.
Fuel and basic commodities price hikes impacting on livelihoods
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UEL price hikes which were effected last week may see thousands of Zimbabweans and failing to access basic good whose prices have since plummeted. Residents have raised an outcry over the increase saying retailers were already cashing in by increasing prices of basics against an economic crisis affecting many. At US$1,68 per litre now, diesel is 24 cents up from the February price of US$1,44, while petrol is now pegged at US$1,67 per litre. Although the prices have been justified, the development has been linked to the ongoing Russia disturbances which experts say will lead to price hikes in many economies. The Association of Private Millers said Zimbabwe, which expects to import 155,000 tonnes of wheat this year through October, traditionally sources most of its wheat imports from Russia, from where facebook.com/wildtrustzim |
Russia is also a major supplier fertilizer to Zimbabwe, raising the prospect of further hikes in prices driven by shortages and price hikes in inputs when the planting season starts later this year. A survey conducted by InFocus News revealed that among basic commodities that are rising in price are mealie-meal, rice, cooking oil, flour and laundry soap. The price of a 2-litre cooking oil bottle went up from $799,99 to $849,99 while mealie-meal went up from $729,99 for a 10kg bag to $879,99. Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries president Kurai Matsheza said: “The fuel price hike is worrisome as it causes the cost of production to rise immensely, leading to goods being more expensive. The Zimbabwean economy needs to be cushioned from the impact of the global fuel situation to protect consumers and keep prices stable.” Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe president, Tafadzwa Musarara urged the Government to step up grain imports to boost the country’s wheat stocks. “Given the importance of Russia and Ukraine to global grain markets, uncertainty over the supply outlook meant grain prices would also remain elevated and volatile. Legislators have also weighed in the matter demanding that the
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Ministry of Finance and Economic Development to issues a ministerial statement on fuel prices and supply and measures being taken to ensure affordability by the generality of the public. In an interview, Ruth Mlambo a vendor from Bulawayo said prices were now going up daily and soon a majority will not afford mealie meal. “Some of us do not drive but we are already feeling the brunt, prices are going up daily and it is like Government is silent on the issue. We need changes in the economy so that we are able to survive in Zimbabwe because we are struggling for now,” she added.
At US$1,68 per litre now, diesel is 24 cents up from the February price of US$1,44, while petrol is now pegged at US$1,67 per litre.
InfocusNews Affected residents said Council was already failing to stick to the schedule as some go for 60 hours without running water. Bakani Ndlovu from Makokoba, one of Bulawayo’s oldest suburbs said some areas had gone for months without running water.
Residents subjected to water rationing
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ULAWAYO residents have been once again subjected to a 48-hour long water shedding program owing to increased demand and depleting supply dam levels. According to the Local Authority, the water shedding programme will go on pending repairs which are underway. In a statement, Bulawayo City Council (BCC) Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube said there has been increased demand as residents are consuming more than the 150 Mega Litres which is the daily maximum for the whole city. “The City of Bulawayo would like to advise members of the public that while repairs are being conducted at Ncema Water Treatment Works, areas supplied by the Tuli Hill, 6J, and Rifle Range reservoirs facebook.com/wildtrustzim |
will be under a 48-hour water shedding programme,” said Mr Dube. “Affected areas include Lochview, Sunninghill, Marlands, Glencoe, Riverside, Manningdale, Willsgrove, Buenavista, Douglasdale, Fortunes gate, Selbourne Park, Matsheumhlophe, Barbourfields, Mzilikazi, Nguboyenja, Makokoba, Harrisvale, Trenance, Richmond, Sauerstown, Hillside, South riding, Four winds, Morningside, Barham Green, Greenhill, Mqabuko heights, Esigodini, Lookout Masuku Barracks, Parklands, Khumalo, Queenspark, Suburbs, Mahatshula, Woodville, Kingsdale and Killarney.” According to the latest Council report, the water levels at Umzingwane dam are very low as the catchment area has not received much rain this season.
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“It is sad that we have reverted back to those days when we would go for long without water. It does not make sense why council is ever conducting repairs because soon we will have water borne diseases in Bulawayo like before,” she said. “Some areas had no water for weeks in Makokoba way before the water shedding was announced and we plead with Council to hasten repairs so that we may have continuous water supply.” Linnet Ncube from Morningside said they had to rely on rains that pounded during the past two days for water. “We are grateful that at last we had rains from Tuesday and we had to conserve that water in buckets so that we can clean and do laundry as the Council schedule is so unreliable,” she said. “We hope these rains will also improve water supply as some of our dams are almost being decommissioned due to critical levels. We continue hoping that we will not record any water borne diseases as this may cause lots of problems in communities which are struggling to handle COVID-19.”
InfocusNews
Marriages Bill passed into law
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ATIONAL 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 whose implementation may help the country end child marriages.
Of note, payment lobola before marriage is now mandatory and traditional leaders including chiefs and village heads can now officiate customary marriages. The Bill was initially passed in the National Assembly in 2020 but was held up in Senate after traditional leaders objected to a clause that said that payment or non-payment of a bride price could not be regarded as a barrier in solemnizing marriage between two consenting adults if they satisfied other requirements of the law. In clause 3 (1), the Marriage Bill provides that: “No person under the age of eighteen years may facebook.com/wildtrustzim |
contract a marriage or enter into an unregistered customary law marriage or a civil partnership.”
the Government to strengthen the institutional framework to outlaw child marriage is commendable.
Clause 3 (2) declares that: “child marriages are prohibited and under no circumstances shall any person contract, solemnise, promote, permit, allow or coerce or aid or abet the contracting, solemnising, promotion, permitting, allowing or coercion of the marriage, unregistered customary law marriage, civil partnership, pledging, promise in marriage or betrothal of a child.”
“The passing of the Marriage Bill, recently, through Parliament is one step closer to enactment of the Bill, which would bring a fundamental shift in addressing child marriages. consequences of child marriages are devastating and often determine the trajectory of a girl’s life,” said Dr Oyewale.
For Sifiso Sibanda, a local legal practitioner the bill has brought in a number of good clauses that will empower women and girls. “We are grateful for the bill it will bring about a lot of positives in our plight as women and girls. However, there is a problematic clause on civil marriages which is seemingly supporting those who engage in extra marital affairs,” she said. Unicef representative to Zimbabwe, Dr Tajudeen Oyewale welcomed the move urging the Government to prioritize the enactment of the Marriage Bill as an important legislative instrument towards eliminating child marriage in Zimbabwe. The reality, however, remains that more efforts are required by all stakeholders to address the practice, as current data from the Zimbabwe Statistics Office (ZIMSTAT) indicate that one out of three girls in Zimbabwe will be married before their 18th birthday. This is why the current progress by
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“Child marriages is not only a violation of the right of the victim; girls who marry young are at a higher risk of dying during childbirth and/or have their child die before the first birthday; and they also have higher risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases and becoming victims of domestic violence. Advocate Choice Damiso said the bill is also set to harmonize the different types of marriages that were recognized in Zimbabwe. “Prior to this bill, marriages were administered under three legal civil, unregistered custody and the custody and that difference has always been a bone of contention. It seeks to harmonize to create the single regime. Both the marriage act and the custody marriages act were enacted prior to the Constitution in 2013 and this bill aligns them with the provision of the Constitution,” she said. “It means society is not static things are changing and there is need for laws to change to suit our needs.”
Electoral Information Blitz
For immediate release[Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, 18 March 2022]
Press Statement : WILD Condemns violence against female political candidates Women’s Institute For Leadership Development (WILD) strongly condemns all forms of violence inflicted upon female political Candidates contesting in the 2022 By-Elections. WILD is deeply concerned by reports indicating that Citizens Coalition For Change (CCC) Umzingwane Ward 20 Candidate Thokozile Dube’s home was yesterday besieged by members of ZANU PF with the intent to intimidate, harass and use violence for political expediency. WILD strongly believes that well functioning democratic structures and strong political governance are central in creating a conducive political envifacebook.com/wildtrustzim |
ronment where citizens enjoy fundamental human rights enshrined in the Constitution without fear.
ZANU PF’s Leah Chidamba who is an aspiring Councilor for Zengeza East Constituency, Ward 20.
Section 67 (2a - b) of the Constitution states that “Every Zimbabwean citizen has the right to join and to participate in the activities of a political party or organisation of their choice; to campaign freely and peacefully for a political party or cause...” However, the reported political and electoral related violence undermines civil and political rights which affects citizens’ rights to compete in electoral processes.
Over the years, Zimbabwe’s electoral cycle has been characterized by gendered disinformation campaigns that feature narratives aimed at threatening and humiliating contesting female political candidates. Sexually charged content is also disseminated to character assassinate the contesting candidate.
WILD is also concerned by the cyberbullying exhibited towards
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Against this backdrop, WILD abhors all forms of political and electoral related violence as it dissuades the participation of citizens particularly women in electoral processes and can lead
Electoral Information Blitz to voter apathy which inturn defeats the desired 50/50 approach to gender balance in electoral processes and leadership positions. Additionally, political and electoral related violence erodes trust in democratic processes which limits inclusive participation in the upcoming by-elections and 2023 harmonised elections as well. It is our firm
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belief that politics and elections should be a contest of ideas not an arena for violence to prevail. WILD implores Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to bring all perpetrators of political and electoral violence to book through a non-partisan approach. WILD also calls upon all political parties to collectively promote a
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conducive political environment and “BreakTheBias” from all forms of political and electoral violence, stereotypes and discrimination. A peaceful environment is central for citizens especially women to enjoy their fundamental rights to participate in electoral processes without fear. Ends.
Electoral Information Blitz
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Electoral Information Blitz
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