By Sibongumusa Ncube
In the realm of Zimbabwean democracy and human rights, a dynamic force has been pivotal in shaping the nation’s trajectory towards progress – women.
Beyond their roles as mothers, daughters, and sisters, Zimbabwean women have emerged as key stakeholders in driving societal change, advocating for human rights, and catalysing the democratisation process. For decades, Zimbabwe has grappled with political unrest, economic instability, and human rights violations.
Amidst these challenges, women have stood resilient, harnessing their collective voices to demand justice, equality, and inclusive governance. From grassroots activism to leadership roles in civil society organisations and political movements, Zimbabwean women have left an indelible mark on the nation’s quest for democracy.
Moreover, women’s participation in politics has been steadily increasing, although challenges persist in breaking through traditional gender barriers. The 2018 general elections marked a significant milestone, with women comprising nearly 31% of the candidates. While this represented progress, there is still much work to be done to achieve gender parity in political representation and decision-making processes in the aftermath of the 2023 election that had disappointing statistics- only 22 women were elected for the 210 National Assembly seats and this translates to a paltry ten percent of female representation according to the Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence (WALPE).
The democratisation process in Zimbabwe is intricately linked to the empowerment of women. By amplifying their voices, challenging systemic inequalities, and advocating for inclusive governance, Zimbabwean women are shaping a future where democracy thrives, and human rights are upheld for all citizens. In addition to their political activism, Zimbabwean women have played a crucial role in advancing human rights through their involvement in grassroots initiatives and community-based organisations. From advocating for women’s rights to combating gender-based violence and promoting access to education and healthcare, Zimbabwean women have been at the forefront of transformative change at the local level.
However, despite their remarkable contributions, Zimbabwean women continue to face numerous obstacles, including gender-based discrimination, limited access to resources and opportunities, and political marginalisation. It is no longer a question of whether gender inequality and discrimination in politics exists (it does) but one of how pervasive the problem is. The shortage of visible women is easily explained when one considers how women, in their various roles as voters, candidates, journalists, civil society representatives and electoral administrators, frequently face social, physical, psychological, economic and cultural obstacles that hinder the full exercise of their participation rights. Cultural expectations and social norms, exclusion from male-dominated decision-making platforms, lack of financial resources, restricted access to information and knowledge, discrimination and widespread violence frequently undermine their participation rights.
The intersection between human rights violations and democratic processes in Zimbabwe is most pronounced in the study of Violence Against Women in Elections (VAWE). It comprises several types of violence, including harassment, intimidation, psychological abuse, sexual violence, and physical attacks, directed to women with different roles in the electoral process. Electoral stakeholders can use a wide range of strategies to prevent and mitigate VAWE throughout the electoral cycle, including mapping and measuring VAWE, integrating this component into election observation and violence monitoring, fostering legal and policy reform, making specific electoral arrangements, working with political parties and raising public awareness on this issue.
Efforts to address these challenges must be comprehensive, encompassing legal reforms, institutional support, and grassroots initiatives aimed at empowering women and promoting gender equality. Throughout the electoral cycle, a wide range of stakeholders can commit to promoting gender equality and women’s participation in their respective action fields, including political parties, electoral management bodies (EMBs), civil society, election observers, the media, international electoral assistance providers and many others. For every form of discrimination, there exists a workable policy to address it, thereby making inroads for gender inclusive political participation. Media monitoring initiatives can help identify bias against women in the media and assess the quality and plurality of the election coverage. Capacity building and training for journalists and media professionals can also improve their skills on gender-sensitive reporting. Moreover, integrating gender equality provisions in codes of conduct for media in elections can contribute to avoiding harmful stereotypes against women and integrate their voices in the public debate.
As Zimbabwe navigates its path towards democratic consolidation and social progress, it is imperative to recognize and celebrate the invaluable role of women in driving positive change. Their resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to democratic values serve as a beacon of hope for a brighter, more equitable future for all Zimbabweans. In the face of inclusive policies, gendered discrimination need not continue to be an insurmountable challenge to the female citizens of Zimbabwe. These policies require us as an electorate to first acknowledge the existence and the nature of the problem and then to take steps to encourage the necessary stakeholders to implement the sort of changes required to uphold democracy and human rights in Zimbabwe.
