DRIVE TO RAISE WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN POLITICS TAKE CENTRE STAGE
DESPITE Zambia signing some regional and international conventions which guarantee the rights of women and gender equality, the level of women participation in decision-making has remained low.
And even though the country has made some strides in increasing women representation in Parliament, having attained 19 percent representation in the 2016 general elections, the country still falls far short of the regional average of 24 percent
The statistics are also short of the 50-50 gender parity required by the SADC protocol on gender and development and African Union Agenda 2063
Vice President, Inonge Wina says as the country aspires for greater heights in attaining gender equality the participation levels are still extremely low despite women making more than 50 percent of the population,
Ms Wina said these distortions needed to be addressed within the shortest time possible and therefore calls for affirmative action from stakeholders to achieve positive actions.
She said while many women are willing to join politics in numbers, more are fearful of the toxic environment in which violence and harassment are the order of the day.
She was speaking during the recently held Zambia and United Nations High-Level Virtual Dialogue aimed at increasing women participation in politics and addressing political violence against women.
And United Nations (UN) deputy secretary-general Amina Muhammed said at the same event that equal participation in decision-making positions leads to greater social protection spending and equality outcomes.
Ms Muhammed added that equal participation also leads to peace processes that are linked to more sustainable peace and overall gender policy is directly related to better outcomes for nations as a whole.
Ms Muhammed called for urgent actions to ensure zero tolerance for harassment, intimidation, cyberbullying, and any other forms of violence against women in politics.
This begins with men at all levels and in every sphere of
society, they need to advocate for the rights of women to participate without fear, she said.
Violence, harassment, and bullying are indeed some of the major hindrances to women's participation in decision-making positions.
During an interface engagement meeting organised by Action Governance Forum (AGF) with support from the Swedish Embassy in Western Province, these were frequently cited as some of the major hindrances to women's participation in politics.
It was also found that most women draw back from taking part in politics when they are harassed by the male counterparts who feel threatened by their active participation.
Ms Mubutu Mwangala, aspiring councillor for Kashamu ward in Kaoma Central constituency on the United Party for National Development (UPND) ticket bemoaned the lack of capacity building and financial support for women in politics in the country.
Ms Mwangala said that there has been little or no development and strengthening of skills and abilities for women in politics from civil society organisations, women movements, and even cal parties.
She explained that women face challenges in accessing financial support and that this mainly has to do with traditions and beliefs which does support women's participation in politics.
Ms Mwangala said these factors have been a huge drawback to women's participation in decision-making positions because those who take the bold step are frowned upon by society.
“As women, we are not encouraged by society to take an active role in politics and politi
those who are active, society views them as uncultured women because of traditions and beliefs which is not supported to be the case because we too are partners in development,” she said.
Ms Anna Ngombo who is Women in Politics Platform chairperson for Kaoma cited increased political violence and bullying as a threat to the participation of women in politics.
Ms Ngombo said women in politics are often bullied and discriminated against by the men who call them all sorts of names for taking up what they have for many years viewed as the responsibility of the men.
The women have strongly called on the government, civil society organisations, women's movemenst, and political parties to work together and ensure that women in politics are given the necessary support needed to achieve their
goals.
She also urged women in politics to stand up and fight for their rights and to take advantage of the political will that the government has shown in promoting women's
participation in the governance system of the country.
“The government has giv
en us the political stage, let us take the advantage and participate in large numbers and support each other,” Ms Ngombo said.
The women also found that lack of capacity building and financial constraints are among some of the major hindrances to their full participation in decision-making politics.
And at various fora, it has been reported that women continue to face challenges in accessing financial products and services.
These barriers range from cultural, financial, and sometimes religious discrimination among others.
Action Governance Forum (AGF), a civil society organisation has urged political parties to accommodate women and ensure that they are adopted at ward and constituency level in the August 12 general elections.
AGF Executive Director, Justine Mushoke called for a change of mindset among political leaders by ensuring that they embrace women and their participation in politics.
Mr Mushoke said in an interview that political parties
should ensure that they adopt more women at the ward and constituency level in the coming elections.
He said the top leadership in all political parties should take the centre stage in promoting women's rights and political participation because they are equal partners in development.
Mr Mushoke observed that women are eager to participate in the decision-making process and this has been reflected in the impressive way they have registered as voters in the coming general elections.
He said statistics in the 2016 and 2021 voters register have shown that more women registered as voters than men.
"There must be a change of mindset by political parties to accommodate women, they are more willing to participate and this comes out clearly in the way they registered in the previous and coming elections," he said.
And Mr Mushoke said as an organisation, they would support all the women who would be adopted in the coming elections to ensure their victory.
He said the Action Governance Forum has with support from cooperating partners embarked on a project dubbed "Strengthening Women's Rights and Political Participation.
Mr. Mushoke said the project being implemented in Lusaka and Western provinces aims at mitigating the challenges that women in politics face as they ascend to decision-making positions.
He said the programme is funded by the Swedish Embassy with support from the Non-Governmental Organisation Coordinating Council.
With Zambia being ranked the fifth lowest performing in the SADC region in terms of women's participation in decision-making positions, there is a need for concerted efforts from all stakeholders ensuring that women are given equal opportunities in politics as men.
And for Zambia to attain 50 percent women participation in politics, the men should rise above board and give full support to the women in politics.