Quota system: progress & challenges for women in politics

Staff Reporter

Zimbabwe’s quota system for women in politics has demonstrably increased female representation, but cracks are starting to show. A recent Whatsapp group discussion hosted by Community Podium revealed both the system’s successes and the challenges that need to be addressed to ensure women can truly thrive as leaders.

The quota system, enshrined in the 2013 Constitution, mandates reserving 60 parliamentary seats for women, with six representatives from each province. This affirmative action measure aims to address the historical underrepresentation of women in government.

Guest, Abigail Siziba, Gender Officer for the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA), shed light on both the successes and limitations of the Women’s Quota System. Siziba acknowledged the system’s positive impact. “We’ve seen a significant increase in female leadership positions,” she stated. “In 1980, there were only 9 female MPs. By 2013, that number jumped to 86, with an additional 38 female Senators.” This growth reflects a clear path towards gender parity.
The system’s reach extends beyond national politics. “The 2021 Constitutional Amendment further expanded the quota to local government, reserving 30% of seats for women,” Siziba explained. This ensures women have a stronger voice at the grassroots level.

However, Siziba cautioned that the quota system alone is not a silver bullet. One critical issue is the emergence of “class struggles” between elected and appointed women leaders. Appointed women, selected through proportional representation (PR), lack specific constituencies and crucial resources like the Constituency Development Fund. This disparity can create a sense of inequality and hinder their ability to connect with voters. “There’s a need for clear guidelines regarding their operations,” Siziba emphasized.

Siziba stressed the importance of fostering collaboration between all women leaders. “Both elected and appointed women are legitimate leaders, working towards the same goal,” she said. She highlighted instances where elected officials obstruct the work of appointed leaders, and called for “legislative reforms to ensure their duties complement each other.”

She envisions a more comprehensive approach to empower women in politics. This includes reforms in the media to ensure women get equal promotion during campaigns, providing them with the resources they need to compete for leadership positions, challenging societal norms that hold women back, and even legal changes to make sure political parties themselves have fair gender representation in their leadership.

Siziba’s insights underscore the need for a multi-faceted approach to achieving gender equality in Zimbabwe’s political landscape. While the quota system has demonstrably increased female representation, additional measures are needed to create a level playing field and empower women to thrive as leaders.