Women have been urged to participate and be involved in how public finances are used at local authority and national levels as they are vital players in the economic governance of the country.
By Clarity Sibanda and Lovejoy Mutongwiza
Women constitute 52 percent of Zimbabwe‘s population but there have been concerns from different quarters on their engrained exclusion in economic governance which has a multiplicity of effects such as lack of accountability and non fulfilment of social and economic rights as enshrined in the Constitution
Speaking on the sidelines of a meeting held in Chitungwiza which was hosted by the Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) under its project Women Engagement in Economic Governance (WEEG) the organisation’s communications coordinator Grace Mugebe encouraged women to participate in budget consultation to air out their views.
“Women are the backbone of an economy hence it becomes imperative for them to take part and contribute during council and national budget consultative meetings, budget review meetings and monitoring how the budget is implemented.
“They constitute 52% of the population hence their exclusion means the majority voice and needs are left out,” said Mugebe.
Participants during the workshop said women have often been left out in governance issues although they are affected by the decisions made on their behalf.
“For several years our participation on socio-economic matters has been very low due to the patriarchal system of our society. Although the Constitution of Zimbabwe makes provisions for social and economic rights, some women are not conversant with its provisions and how to monitor their fulfillment.
“I am happy that these platforms have accorded us the opportunity as women to claim our space and express ourselves. We have been empowered and if you empower a woman you have empowered a nation. The time has come for women to move away from the Victorian era”, said Sheryl Chigwedere..
ZIMCODD‘s Programme Officer, Tendai Bobo said most of Zimbabwe‘s citizens in both rural and urban areas are failing to enjoy their Constitutional rights due to poor public finance management with corruption being the primary impediment to development while adding that women participation in economic governance is critical to achieve broad based development as economic policies have gender specific effects and such meetings will enable them to make informed decisions and how they can demand the realization of their rights
“After all is said and done what Zimbabwe needs are determined female members who are inspired to make a change in the community by fully participating on development issues. Women have to be integrated in development planning, implementation and evaluation that way gender equality will be realized,” added Bertha Mutasa a member of the Chitungwiza Residents and Ratepayers Association (CHIRRA).
ZIMCODD said the project will help build the capacity of women in Constitutionalism, public resources management, lobbying and advocacy thus enhancing their participation in demanding transparency and accountability in economic governance for the realisation of social and economic rights.
