Women’s organisations in Zimbabwe have condemned the low representation of women in the newly appointed cabinet, saying it does not reflect the country’s constitution, which guarantees equal representation of women in all spheres of society.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa appointed 26 cabinet ministers on Tuesday, including six women.
The Six female cabinet ministers are Kirsty Coventry for Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture; Sithembiso Nyoni for Industry and Commerce, Tatenda Mavetera for ICT, Postal and Courier services; Babra Rwodzi for Tourism and Hospitality Industry; Monica Mutsvangwa for Women Affairs, Community and SMEs Development and Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri for Defence.
This is the same number of women who were appointed to the cabinet in 2018.
The Women’s Institute for Leadership Development (WILD) said the representation of women is still low.
“The composition of female cabinet ministers remains the same as in 2018, with six appointed as ministers. Refreshingly, there are new young faces. However, the representation of women is still low, and more is needed to achieve gender parity in political positions,” said WILD.
The Women’s Institute however commended the equal representation in the appointment of Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs.
The Women and Law Society in Southern Africa- Zimbabwe said the newly appointed ministers indicate a 23 percent representation.
“The appointment of only six women as cabinet ministers is a clear violation of Section 17 of the constitution of Zimbabwe, which guarantees equal representation of women in all spheres of society,” said the organization.
Labour, Economists and African Democrats (LEAD) president Linda Masarira said the appointment of cabinet ministers is not gender balanced.
“Only 6 out of the 26 cabinet ministers are women. Section 104 (4) of the constitution states, “In appointing Ministers and Deputy Ministers, the President must be guided by considerations of regional and gender balance”. The appointment of cabinet ministers is not gender balanced. Section 17 of the constitution of Zimbabwe has been violated yet again as the women appointed only constitute 26 percent of the cabinet ministers,” said Masarira.
She said gender balance was only considered for the appointment of provincial ministers which is a clear indication of selective application of the law.
“Women are not children of a lesser God. The constitution of Zimbabwe is the supreme law of this land which should be adhered to its totality. As a Pan-African feminist transformation leader, I demand 50/50 in all organs of the state as enshrined in the constitution of Zimbabwe,” said Masarira.
The Girls Table Programs assistant, Bekezela Mguni said the low representation of women in leadership positions is an attack on democracy and it is heartbreaking how the country continues to undermine sections 17, 56 and 80 of the Zimbabwean 2013 constitution which guarantees equal representation of women in all spheres of society.
