Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCOZ) has ripped into the new government for sidelining women in key leadership positions saying their actions must align to the constitution which clearly provides for 50/50 representation in all administrative structures.
Addressing journalists at the launch of the Zimbabwe SADC Gender Protocol Barometer 2017, WCOZ chairperson, Pamela Mhlanga expressed disappointment over the new dispensation’s disregard for gender equality in decision making positions and all government structures.
“Change for gender equality has not been moving as fast as it is supposed to happen, gender parity in politics and decision making is not seen for example when the new dispensation came on board the cabinet which was appointed only appointed four women out of 22 ministers and it was a shock to us because as far as we are concerned whether it is the old or new dispensation they must align their actions to the constitution,
“The constitution is very clear, there must 50/50 representation in all those structures of government, at all levels so for us we are saying the appointment of a cabinet that is way below the 50% representation of women is not line with the constitution,
“The Barometer is providing the evidence that there are many areas where alignment is required, either to constitutional guarantees or to what the SADC protocol on gender and development standards are, in this new dispensation when you look at the area of the macro economy you can see that the evidence that is on the ground is that a lot of women are ferrying badly as compared to men in the employment sector and are dominating the informal sector,” said Mhlanga.
The Zimbabwe SADC Gender Protocol Barometer 2017 which was launched today (Tuesday) by WCOZ is a report for gender equality and the empowerment of women in Zimbabwe.
Speaking at the same event, Executive Director for the Namibian Institute of Democracy, Naita Hishoono said it is shocking that in 2018 people are still dealing with lack of gender parity, calling on Zimbabwe to ratify these issues to move with time.
“The findings in the barometer are very crucial and some of them very shocking, we tend to forget that we are in 2018 and we are still dealing with high mortality deaths, not enough women being in parliament and the SADC gender protocol not being ratified by most SADC countries,
“Namibia had it ratified and that’s why we have such a high representation of women in cabinet and in parliament, in the ruling party its 50/50, parliament 40% and cabinet is also 40%,
“In order to create this equal society we would also like to call upon male champions because we have a lot of female champions pushing for equality but we are looking for male champions to ensure an equal society,” explained Hishoono.
