Election watchdog, the Election Resource Centre Wednesday paid homage to female parliamentarians for their role in fighting for electoral, political and gender reforms in the country.
The kind gesture was accompanied by 115 roses which will be given to all female parliamentarians as the country continues to celebrate Women’s Month.
In a statement, the ERC thanked the “Phenomenal Women” in parliament while urging for the elimination of structural barriers limiting the full participation of women in political spaces.
“As we celebrate all that has been accomplished, it is also a day to reflect on the outstanding electoral reforms that affected free, fair, credible and transparent elections and negatively impact on women participation in elections.
“Election Resource Centre is dedicated to ensuring the election of more women to all levels of political office and increasing the participation of women in all electoral processes. ERC recognises International Women’s Day as an opportunity to discuss the outstanding electoral reform agenda that will ensure an electoral environment conducive for the participation of women…” the statement reads.
Some of the reforms agenda by ERC include institutional reform of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), reform of the legal framework for elections at the Electoral Act, reform of the state media in electoral processes, military reforms in civilian affairs and the conduct of traditional leaders in electoral processes.
Accepting the roses, Women’s Parliamentary Caucus chairperson, Goodluck Kwaramba thanked the ERC for the gesture which she said is a recognition of all women in Zimbabwe.
“I want to thank you very much for this gesture, we are very happy as Zimbabwean women. We cherish your gift, it is going to go a long way in remembering all the women in Zimbabwe and all women parliamentarians, we are very happy about this initiative,” she said.
