Electoral processes stifling women’s participation

Ratidzai Matumbura

Zimbabwe’s electoral processes have a suppressing effect on the participation of women in politics. This came out during a women’s election lecture on ‘Aligning the Electoral Act in pursuit towards attaining gender equality in political parties.’ The lecture was virtually hosted by Women’s Institute for Leadership Development (WILD). 

Mr Obey Shava, a top human rights lawyer, kick started the discourse by invoking Zimbabwe’s electoral law. While making reference to a case study of 1979 when the  Lancaster House Constitution was introduced, he argued that there has always been a lack of balance between black men and women in terms of participation and that this challenge has persisted to this day. 

“The electoral processes were mainly targeting the black majority, which was then dominated by male blacks. There were never provisions which were deliberately put in place to cater for the interests of the women to enhance more participation of women. So there has always been a lack of balance between black majority men and women in electoral processes,” he said.

Shava went on to shed light on the stipulated requirements for voters,Members of Parliament and Senators.

“For one to be able to vote in  Zimbabwean elections, they must be  a citizen of Zimbabwe, must be a registered voter, resident in a particular constituency and of or above 18 years. In addition to these requirements,  for one to to be in the National Assembly, they need to be of or above 21 years old and to be in the Senate, you need to be of or above 40 years “he said.

Program Lead for Magamba Network, Mantate Mlotshwa took time to bisect the  Electoral Act in terms of its implications on gender equality. She castigated the obsession with the quota system, contending that the system disenfranchises women.

” Zimbabwe has made it seem like the only future for women’s participation revolves around the quota system. Quotas have worked in other countries , only because they can work  if they are properly implemented. In our case there have been no proper regulations on how the implementation is done. Quota systems have given space for political parties to actually push aside women that have potential to run effectively for office. 

We want to see an increase in the number of women that are submitting their names and actually allowed to run for elections as well as winning them so that we increase the number of elected women in Parliament and eventually, we get to a level of gender parity,” she said.

Turning to voter registration, Mlotshwa bemoaned the hurdles faced by young women in their quest to get registered as voters.

“Young women are disadvantaged in terms of providing proof of residence. Often, a young lady has to get her husband to write a note  for her confirming her residence because her name does not appear in the utility bill papers, meaning there is no equality,” said Mlotshwa.

Mlotshwa also highlighted that the playing field is not even as most women politicians are hamstrung by their financial status which prevents them from campaigning effectively against well resourced men.

“The economic capacity of women to effectively run the campaign may be a limitation. As a woman l am disadvantaged because l don’t have the resources needed for an effective campaign,” said Mlotshwa.

MDC-T Proportional Representation MP, Hon. Lindiwe Maphosa focused on how existing policies are negatively affecting the participation of women. She said women would be happier If there were policies put in place to prevent the media from spewing hate or slander against women participants.

“When we look at our policies there is no deterrent to the media’s penchant for abusing  women participants. There should be a law that disciplines those who spread gender insensitive campaigns,” she said. 

Hon. Maphosa concurred with Mlotshwa, while exposing the flaws of the women’s quota system. She said, “The qouta system that was introduced in 2013 is flawed in  that one cannot contest in the direct election of constituencies. That alone, has significantly reduced the number of women participating, especially for National Assembly. We would be placated  as women If we had 50/50 in Parliament, and 50/50 in Councils.” said Hon. Maphosa.

Zanu PF Proportional Representation Member of Parliament, Honourable Tatenda Mavetera, encouraged women to desist from  fighting against each other and instead, stand together as one.

“As women we need to speak with one voice. The moment we make noise as a united front to the effect that we  need our space as young people we will be able to achieve a lot but when we fight among ourselves, no good will come out of it. We need to support each other. We don’t have to be manipulated and disadvantaged by men just because they hold lofty positions” she said.