Former MDC-T deputy president Thokozani Khupe in February spent most of Morgan Tsvangirai’s funeral holed up in a hut, fearing for her life, as party youths threatened her with violence.

That same month, Zanu PF’s Zalerah Makari, the Epworth National Assembly member, escaped death by a whisker when thugs pelted her with stones while campaigning.

Most African countries are signatories of numerous protocols that encourage gender equality in politics, yet analysts say more still needs to be done to implement these protocols and ensure women are not sidelined.

Women in the region and beyond are breaking the glass ceiling in politics as evidenced by the likes of former Malawian president Joyce Banda and other women who have managed to occupy important positions in national governments and multilateral organisations.

Media’s negative projection of women politicians is discouraging others from joining the male dominated field, the Zimbabwe Gender Commission has observed.

In her opening remarks to a media sensitization workshop Zimbabwe Gender Commission Chairperson Margaret Sangarwe said the recently concluded Zanu PF primary elections painted a gloomy picture regarding the participation of women in politics.

Women in Mutare have added their voices on the growing calls for women to register and vote for female candidates in the forthcoming elections.