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'Women participation in elections vital' |
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Saturday, 18 February 2012 13:01 |
 The Parliamentary Women’s Caucus says it has began preparing women for full participation in the anticipated elections this year but called on political parties to honour their promises of ensuring proportional representation.
While women make up 52% of the population their participation in elections has been very minimal owing to various challenges.
Women do not have the financial resources for campaign whilst in some cases political parties are unwilling to support female candidates.
The Parliamentary Women’s Caucus says since the country is expected to hold elections this year, there is need for political parties to put in place structures that ensure that female candidates also compete effectively in the polls.
The caucus chairperson, Cde Beater Nyamupinga called on the three political parties to honour their promises of ensuring proportional representation in the anticipated harmonised elections.
“We are saying the political parties should now walk their talk, they promised us the proportional representation and this should be fullfilled. As we gear up for elections, obviously we would want to see more women as candidates,” said Cde Nyamupinga.
While acknowledging that government has made progress in ensuring women participation in governance issues, Women Coalition of Zimbabwe National Coordinator Ms Netsai Mushonga says there is need for equal representation in the various commissions that have been established.
Ms Mushonga said: “We want the government to ensure that in all the commissions women are also there.”
Political will, affirmative action and the sheer determination of women to succeed has begun to enforce a shift in the power balance which has catapulted women in key political and social posts.
However, women are still lagging behind in ownership and the shareholding of major business concerns such as mining.
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