Women urged to report electoral violence

Rutendo Mapfumo

In an effort to curb cases of violence on women during the electoral cycle, the Zimbabwe Civic Education Trust is encouraging women to report cases of violence promptly whenever their rights are violated.

The electoral cycle is the whole period before elections, during elections and post-elections.
According to the International Foundation Electoral System (IFES) over 60 percent of abusive cases and violent online discourse revolves around political actors directed at women in politics, although women only constitute a third of the National Assembly.

The Matebeleland North Province Zimbabwe Civic Education Trust Provincial Coordinator, Mirriam Mandishona said violence on women during elections is worrisome.
“Looking at violence during elections, a lot of women are victims but they remain quiet. This is because they do not know where and how to report especially during elections,”she said.
She further revealed that the fear of being harassed has also contributed to the less participation by women in the electoral process.
“We have done a survey and have realised that most women do not want to partake in leadership programs because they are afraid of being sexually violated,” she said .

Hwange Rural District Council only has three female councillors against 20 male councillors and Hwange Central Constituency has never had a female MP while Victoria Falls Municipality only has 2 female councillors and 11 male councillors.
“Women should report cases because they are suffering silently. Report violence to police and other CSOs,” Mandishona told women.

Pastor Dumisani Sibanda from Evangelical Fellowship in Zimbabwe(EFZ) which has interests in Christian counselling and observing elections said christians are praying against violence this election period.
“We need to understand the importance of the woman and the vulnerability of a woman.We have made a declaration that in this election, no lives will be lost and no blood shall be shed. We are in deep in prayer and the good thing is a number of people who are involved in this prayer are women. We are praying everyday that God helps us during the elections.
He also revealed that most of the people who are victims of violence are young girls who are being taken advantage of by rich older people.

Pastor Sibanda said politics is not naturally a dirty game but the people involved are the ones who make it dirty.
“If we play clean politics, our children and women would be safe,” he said. The political parties should also understand the plight of people, never to abuse people but stand firm and understand them because they are the people who vote them to power, be it before, during or after elections,” he added.

Malvern Daka from Vostile Creative revealed that there where incidences of violence on women in the recent Zanu PF primary elections and the ongoing CCC candidates selection process.
“As an organisation we do not condone violence and we urge communities to remain united and calm irrespective of their political parties .We remind political parties that we are one people and we need elections conducted in a fair and peaceful manner. Hwange must remain peaceful,” said Daka.

Despite efforts done by civic organisations to encourage women’s civic participation in Hwange, female participation remains low.