Women decry lack of representation

YOUNG women from Mashonaland Central have expressed concern over the lack of representation in this year’s harmonised elections.

This came out at a community visioning forum with aspiring members of the National Assembly held in Bindura recently.

The community forum, which was dubbed: “The jour- ney to 2018 Elections: Young Women Converse with Bindura South Parliamentary candidates”, was organised by the Institute for Young Women Development and was aimed at affording young women from the constituency an opportunity to interface with aspiring members of the National Assembly so that they inform them on what they expect from them when elected into office.

There are 10 female candidates from different political parties that will be vying for National Assembly seats in the province compared to 88 male candidates.

The forum, which was attended by representatives of Mr Justice Chinakwetu of National People First, Mr Nelson Gwangwawa from People Rainbow Coalition and Mr Agrippa Mutambara of MDC-Alliance, saw the issue of gender dominating proceedings with the young women questioning the aspiring legislators on how they will advance women’s rights and needs when there were no women representatives within their ranks. “Now that you say you would advance the interests of women when you get into power, how is that possible when you did not even bring a single woman to represent any party at this forum?” “We are concerned that women are not adequately represented in the National Assembly for the forthcoming harmonised elections because the environment is not conducive for us to take part. We want you as aspiring legislators to note our concern and strive to make the environment conducive for us and do something about it when you get into power.” They cited intimidation as one of the reasons that was making it difficult for them to take part in politics and other male dominated fields. They also highlighted the issue of abuse and cited MDC-T president, Dr Thokozani Khupe ordeal at the hands of Mr Nelson Chamisa’s supporters and the recent attacks on the person of Zimbabwe Electoral Commission chairperson, Justice Priscilla Chigumba.