IN A move aimed at increasing female participation in Parliament, the MDC-T National Council last week resolved to leave seats already occupied by female MPs uncontested by males during the forthcoming primary elections.
Report by Senior Parliamentary Reporter
Currently, only 11 MDC-T women are in the House of Assembly out of 99 seats they garnered in 2008, while seven women occupy Senate seats out of 24 MDC-T Senate seats.
Kadoma Central MP Editor Matamisa welcomed the move saying women always struggled to contest on a level playing field with men due to financial constraints and violence.
“We, as women welcome that move because we face a lot of challenges from men who think the only job around is to get to Parliament,” Matamisa said.
Matobo Senator Sithembile Mlotshwa said the MDC-T’s move showed they were interested in uplifting women as a party.
“There are many women who have worked hard and have made it in the corporate world and other fields, but politics has been dominated by males for a long time.
Men have the money and can buy votes, and women are afraid of political violence and so they refrain from contesting, but given a chance women can perform well,” she said.
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Chiredzi West MP Moses Mare said he had no qualms with a resolution to leave seats already occupied by females uncontested during party primaries.
“In 2008, Masvingo Province only had one woman who contested for Parliament. Other factors that hinder women from contesting are that they might be married and their husbands do not want them to take part in politics,” Mare said.
Zaka Senator Misheck Marava said those women already in Parliament were now seasoned legislators and should be encouraged to stay.
“It is a global trend. Women are influential now and Zimbabwe cannot be different. It was the only way the party could ensure the participation of more women,” Marava said.
