Women’s participation, their challenges

PARTICIPATION in decision-making and political processes is a fundamental right and is one of the guiding principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. However, the participation of women in such processes in Africa, particularly Zimbabwe, remains notably low. Their male counterparts dominate every sphere, leaving them (women) with no choice, but to play second fiddle.

According to the Sadc Gender Monitor 2013 report released at the 33rd summit of the Southern African Development Community held in Malawi in August, some countries have done well in promoting women representation in the lower House of Parliament, with Seychelles and South Africa at the top (40%), while Botswana and the Democratic Republic of Congo are at the bottom (10%).

The Zimbabwean government has also made great strides in fostering gender mainstreaming by giving both men and women positions in Parliament, but most women still have limited political power.

According to the Sadc report, women are under-represented at all levels of decision-making in the public and private sectors — in Cabinets, Parliaments, local government, central government, central committees of political parties, private sector boards and management, and the non-government sector, special public service committees and other institutions in Sadc member States.

It is an observable fact that cuts across leadership positions in the private and public sectors.

Yet, owing to efforts by women, Zimbabwe has signed up to and put in place laws and policies for equal opportunities in participation in decision-making and political processes, among others.

Zimbabwe has also ratified the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women and the Constitution in sections 20, 56 and 80 also caters for gender parity.

A research conducted by the Women Development Association in Zimbabwe notes that women representation at local and government levels is under 5% in Matabeleland South.

This is cause for concern and there is need for the government and other stakeholders to work towards the emancipation and empowerment of women as enshrined in sections 17 and 80 of the Constitution.

The government should start small income-generating programmes as a way of empowering women and also there is need for political will among our leaders to involve women in political processes.

Phenias Garai