Zimbabwe

HARARE — Zimbabweans go to the polls July 31 under a new constitution that some hoped would bring more women into politics. But, some women say the road to gender equity in Zimbabwean politics is a long one.  
 
Zimbabwe’s 2012 census shows that women comprise 52 percent of the population. But that demographic is not reflected in the political arena.

As Zimbabwe’s voter registration closed yesterday, one can’t help but wonder if the country's recent sex boycott also came to a happy ending. Our correspondent caught up with the woman behind the no-vote-no-sex campaign, MDC minister Priscilla Misihairabwi Mushonga.

We invite you to read the full article published July 10 2013 by RNW

WITH the presidential elections just around the corner, provisionally set for 31 July, tensions are high with a recent swell of infighting as political parties draw up primary election guidelines and hold their internal polls. However, the conflict has been ongoing

especially since female politicians have criticisedpolitical parties’ hollow commitment to equal representation of women.The lack of quotas for women in local government has also become burning issue,not only for aspiring female politicians, but also for all Zimbabwean women.

MDC leader Professor Welshman Ncube has defended the inclusion of the party’s secretary-general Mrs Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga on the list of women’s quota under proportional representation in Matabeleland South province.

In an interview after the MDC Gwanda central district assembly in Gwanda town on Sunday, Prof Ncube said Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga had every right to contest in Matabeleland South as she originated from the province. He said Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga’s name was also brought forward by the provincial assembly.

The nomination court for the members of the House of Assembly, senatorial, women quarter and provincial councils has begun in different provinces of the country.

In Mashonaland East province the nomination court was officially opened by elections officer Collins Munetsi who is also presiding over the nomination process.

We invite you to read the article published June 28 by Zimbabwe Election

When Maude Taruvinga* votes in Zimbabwe’s elections later this year, she will be voting for her local female politician as she has placed her hopes for a better future on the presence of more women in this southern African nation’s legislature.

In January 2012, Taruvinga became a victim of Zimbabwe’s patriarchal traditions when her in-laws forced her out of her matrimonial home in Marondera, Mashonaland East Province, after her common-law husband passed away intestate.

Political parties have been urged to field more women candidates in the forthcoming elections if Zimbabwe is to realise gender equity and women’s empowerment by 2015.

“As a woman of Zimbabwe, I personally wanted a Constitution that is fit for me,” said Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development and Member of Parliament, Jessie Majome, who participated in Zimbabwe’s Constitution-making process as part of the Select Committee of Parliament that facilitated the process.