Women’s political participation still faces barriers
All rights as enshrined in the Constitution of Zimbabwe accrue to men and women equally and all laws, customs, traditions and cultural practices that come against constitutionally guaranteed rights are void to the extent of the infringement.
Fundamental human rights such as political participation should be universally accorded to all people regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
The Zimbabwe 2013 constitution, which is the supreme law of the land promotes gender equality in politics.
The constitution further provides for equal political rights and prohibits discrimination along gender lines.
Zimbabwe is also a signatory to various regional and international pacts protecting and upholding women participation.
However, systemic barriers and cultural norms restricts meaningful participation by women.
Hence, more work is still needed to close the gap between principles and practice.
The letter and spirit of the constitution should be fulfilled and close the continuing inequalities and help progress towards a politics that is inclusive and representative of all citizens regardless of the gender.
The constitution of Zimbabwe is a foundational legal framework that promotes women’s rights and their participation in public and political life.
The preamble exalts ad extols the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives during the Chimurenga/Umvukela, an acknowledgment to women participation in public life.
Section 3 establishes overarching values and principles that underpin gender equality.
Men and women therefore have an equal status before the law and should be treated as such.
Section 3 (2) (i) further refer to principles of good governance that are binding on all branches of the state and all levels of institutions, acknowledging the rights of women that are enshrined in the constitution.
Chapter 2, the national objectives endeavour to leave no one behind, particularly women as equal partakers of opportunities in development, hence inclusivity is of paramount importance.
Section 17 is very clear that the state must embrace measures to rectify the gender imbalance and ensure full participation of women in all spheres of life.
Women and men should be equally represented in all institutions and agencies of government.
According to the 2022 census, women comprise 52% of the total population.
While there are discrepancies in representation, the constitution calls for parity between men and women.
Section 56 broadly alludes to equality and non-discrimination, with 56 (2) specifically giving reference that men and women have the right to equal treatment before the law and equal opportunities in the social, political, economic and cultural spheres.
Rights of women are further enshrined in Section 80 of the constitution, where they are bestowed with full and equal dignity as men in activities that cuts across the political social and economic spectrum
Section 120 presents method of election of senators, to whom party lists of candidates must list men and women listed alternatively, with women on the top of the lists.
In addition to the 210 elected members of the National Assembly, an additional sixty women members of the National Assembly six from each of the provinces to be elected under the party-lists system of proportional representation as laid down in Section 124 of the constitution in which male and female candidates are listed alternately, political parties must ensure that 10 of the 60 women are under the age of 35, women with disabilities are represented as well.
Section 3 of this Act, in laying out the general principles of democratic elections, categorically states that every citizen has the right to participate in government directly or through freely chose representatives and is entitled without distinction on the ground of gender.
Section 5 of the Electoral Act bestows upon the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, (Zec) additional functions and powers to ensure that gender is mainstreamed into all electoral processes.
Section 6 prohibits political parties, or members or any candidate or its supporters to discriminate on the grounds of gender in connection with an election or political party.
Additionally, in section 11, commissioners and commission employees are exhorted to perform their functions in a manner that promotes conditions conducive to free and fair and democratic elections and referendums and the enhancement of gender equality in connection therewith.
Women winning constituency seats fell further in 2023 from 25 to 22 as political parties felt that the reserved seats are sufficient to afford women with parliamentary representation.
With few female elected officials, women’s issues are not adequately represented.
This hampers enthusiasm for political participation in Zimbabwe.
Women are liable to different forms of marginalisation in elections and face various challenges and barriers that prevent and discourage them from participating in public life.
While Zimbabwe has a progressive constitution with expansive rights accorded to women, the reality of women participation remains very low.
There is a discrepancy between the progressive principles enacted on paper and the actual involvement of women in public life, women have not yet realized rights.
There is a gap and work still needs to be done to translate the constitutional provisions into everyday experiences and norms.
In light of the above, Zesn therefore recommends that;
•The government of Zimbabwe aligns the Electoral Act to the constitution of Zimbabwe to specifically incorporate gender equality provisions in Section 3, 17, 56 and
80.
•Political parties should develop policies on primaries/selection processes that seriously consider participation of women.
•Parliament should amend the Electoral Act to include a mechanism that ensures the achievement of a 50/50 representation.
Zesn