Human Rights of Women
Source: The Herald
Zanu-PF has been hailed for its gender policy that has seen women being involved in its activities and for availing equal representation in decision-making processes. Women In Politics Support Unit Research Analysis and Documentation Officer, Ms Kimberly Da Costa Nyatanga said the revolutionary party's stance on women participation in politics was commendable.
"Women are so excited about the party's commitment towards including them in leadership, especially the position where the party is saying that as we go towards this year's elections out of every three female leaders, one ought to be a young woman," she said.
"This is clear evidence of the party's passion for continuity because you cannot expect to continue unless the young are included."
According to the WISPU's Gender Audit Report 2013 launched last week, an analysis of the three main political parties showed that Zanu-PF surpassed the other main parties in terms of commitment to gender equality.
"It is important to note that the number of women that parties put forward as candidates in the elections provides an indication of the party's commitment to gender equality," the report reads.
The figures show that Zanu-PF has the highest number of women elected into the House of Assembly at 22, while MDC-T has 13 and MDC has one. Over the years, Zanu-PF has been hailed for its gender inclusivity which saw the nation's first female Vice-President Joice Mujuru coming into office in 2004.
According to the party's constitution, women shall constitute at least a third of the total membership of the principal organs of the party and this means that women shall constitute one third of the Central Committee, the provincial committees, district committees, branch committees and village committees.
Zimbabwe is a signatory to a number of protocols such as the SADC Protocol on Gender, the Convention on the Elimination of All Discrimination Against Women and Beijing platform for action which all seek to promote women's empowerment through their participation in political office.