Without gender equality, Zimbabwe on road to nowhere

Without gender equality, Zimbabwe on road to nowhere

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By Lucia Matibenga
MDC Women's Assembly

TODAY the world commemorates International Women’s Day. In 1995 in Beijing women from around the world gathered to formulate programmes and strategies to advance the global struggle for equal rights for women. Much progress has been made but there is still a long way to go.

In Zimbabwe women remain marginalized in society and continue to face discrimination at all levels. The Government’s rhetoric on women’s rights has never been matched by concrete policies aimed at advancing the status of women.

Claims by the government that the recent appointment of Joyce Mujuru as Vice-President underline its commitment to the advancement of women, are disingenuous. Her appointment had nothing to do with gender considerations but had everything to do with advancing the political ambitions of a particular faction within the ruling party. It was an opportunistic political appointment dressed up as a progressive move by a party which has never demonstrated the political will to ensure women are afforded their equal status in society.

We face discrimination in the work place, are denied access to jobs and are denied the same ownership and access rights to property, land and other resources. Gender inequality is one of the main reasons why women, especially young women, account for over half of those infected with HIV/AIDS.

The women in Zimbabwe need a new beginning. We are tired of not being able to find, or afford, enough food to feed our families. We are tired of the lack of job opportunities and the perpetual hardship of daily life. We are tired of being denied access to decent housing just because we are women.

Gender equality is critical to our national development. The MDC, which evolved out of civil society organisations, including women’s groups, is committed to making gender equality a reality. We will eliminate all barriers that prevent women from playing an equal role in society and enjoying equal rights.

The empowerment of women is fundamental to the MDC’s vision of creating a new Zimbabwe in which there is equal opportunity for all.

A new beginning is the only option for real women empowerment. We therefore urge Zimbabwean women to vote wisely, vote for the only party that can bring about a new beginning, vote MDC.
Lucia Matibenga is Chairperson of the MDC Women’s Assembly
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