HARARE —
The Women’s Coalition and the Youth Forum on Thursday criticised political parties in the country for failing to keep their word on implementing policies that will ensure equal representation in all political offices by men and women.
Women’s Coalition chairperson Virginia Muwanigwa told a meeting organised by Zimbabwe Democracy Institute for local groups to strategise for a go and vote campaign, that all political parties participating in this year’s harmonised elections are guilty of failing to implement their won so-called 50/50 quota system.
She said while most of the parties had said they would reserve 30 to 50 percent seats for women candidates in council and parliamentary elections, women candidates for these elections stand at only 13 percent.
She said women can only take the parties seriously if they respect their own policies and the national constitution.
She noted that the coalition is now focusing on increasing women participation in the 2018 election.
Youth Forum chairperson Sally Dura said it is important for women and youths to understand internal selection processes of their political parties so they can stand a chance of getting selected.
Despite their disappointment, Muwanigwa and Dura said their organisations are now concentrating on urging Zimbabweans to go out and vote in huge numbers because they should have a say on how they are governed.
The new constitution reserves 60 seats in the house of assembly for women while they have to compete for the other 201 constituencies.
Women’s Coalition chairperson Virginia Muwanigwa told a meeting organised by Zimbabwe Democracy Institute for local groups to strategise for a go and vote campaign, that all political parties participating in this year’s harmonised elections are guilty of failing to implement their won so-called 50/50 quota system.
She said while most of the parties had said they would reserve 30 to 50 percent seats for women candidates in council and parliamentary elections, women candidates for these elections stand at only 13 percent.
She said women can only take the parties seriously if they respect their own policies and the national constitution.
She noted that the coalition is now focusing on increasing women participation in the 2018 election.
Youth Forum chairperson Sally Dura said it is important for women and youths to understand internal selection processes of their political parties so they can stand a chance of getting selected.
Despite their disappointment, Muwanigwa and Dura said their organisations are now concentrating on urging Zimbabweans to go out and vote in huge numbers because they should have a say on how they are governed.
The new constitution reserves 60 seats in the house of assembly for women while they have to compete for the other 201 constituencies.