Constitution and Legislative Reform

Leftist and liberal party groups voice ‘deep concern’ after draft constitution article promises gender equality ‘without contradicting precepts of Islamic Law’. Constitutional issues was one area of concern when women from around the world recently met for the Christiansborg Seminar 2012 on “Women in Politics”, where the role of women in transition countries was on the agenda.

THE women of Vitogo Village and surrounding settlements have called on the Constitution Commission to ensure there is equal representation of women and men in a new parliament.

Making submissions on behalf of the women of Vitogo yesterday, Adi Paulini Delai suggested that 50 per cent of the parliamentarians be women.

Adi Paulini said there needed to be a law that also allow women to be represented at all provincial and district councils and government departments.

Women who constitute 52 percent of Zimbabwe's population (the impending census could establish that figure might have increased), have been conspicuously quiet on this matter despite having actively participated in the constitutional outreach process including the chaotic first all-stakeholder's conference.

The women's movement led by the Women's Coalition has had numerous consultative meetings to ensure that women's views are well captured in the draft.

Women from the civil society and political activists are demanding for their 30 percent quota as the deadline to the formation of a new government draws near.

Tunisian women are rising up against a proposed article in the new constitution seen by many as an Islamist ploy to reverse the principle of gender equality that made Tunisia a beacon of modernity in the Arab world when it was introduced six decades ago.
The National Constituent Assembly parliamentary committee adopted last week a proposed article that activists say would compromise rights enshrined in the Personal Status Code (CSP) promulgated in 1956 under Tunisia's first president, Habib Bourguiba.

Libyan women's next challenge is securing a foothold in the committee of 60 that will draft a constitution. It is unclear whether this group will be appointed or elected.