Women now sit in traditional courts
“Participants will be representing the country and, therefore, are expected to market, as well as draw lessons which benefit both the country and individual in the social, political and economic spheres,” he said.
“Participants will have an opportunity to take part in workshops, discussions, panel sessions, trainings, concerts and talk shows.”
All participants, said Minister Machakaire, had to be disciplined all the time.
“Participants are representatives of the Zimbabwean Government and high standards of good behaviour cannot be understated,” he said. “Youth participants were selected from youth associations. All participants must attend all activities according to the programme without fail and report to the team leader if they encounter any challenges.”
Participants were expected to make daily reports on programmes and activities attended and submit them to the team leader for the final report of the delegation.
Reports should include lessons learnt and recommendations.
The World Youth Festival is the largest global youth event bringing together the most passionate people from all over the world.
TRADITIONAL courts have been commended for making progress by appointing female chiefs and female headmen, as well as female court assessors.
This comes as the participation of women in decision-making at all levels is a long-standing commitment for the Government of Zimbabwe.
Speaking at the gender inclusive traditional courts conference in Harare yesterday, Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Monica Mutsvangwa said the Constitution outlaws all the negative cultural practices that were inconsistent with the realisation of women’s rights.
The conference, which was attended by traditional chiefs from across the country, ran under the theme: “Enhancing justice outcomes for women in traditional courts of Zimbabwe”.
“I would also want to acknowledge the progress made in the traditional court system in appointing female chiefs and female headmen as well as female court assessors,” she said.
“Let me also applaud the National Chiefs
Council for electing one of the female chiefs to be a member of the council. This is a progressive development in ensuring that our courts are gender-sensitive and gender inclusive.
“It is an indication that we are moving in the right direction in terms of promoting gender equality and women empowerment. Indeed, the composition of our traditional court system must reflect the diversity of society with diverse needs and are impacted differently by any situation.”
Minister Mutsvangwa said issues of gender inequality and gender discrimination were more prominent at the community level owing to the patriarchal social and cultural norms.
She said they manifest in the form of gender-based violence, child marriages, limited access to resources particularly land, exclusion of women in community leadership, decision-making and inheritance squabbles, among many other issues.
“The role of traditional courts in addressing those systematic gender issues cannot be overemphasized,” Minister Mutsvangwa said.
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