News / National
Lack of woman representation in traditional courts irks CSO
30 May 2017 at 17:09hrs | Views
Lack of women representation in most traditional courts in parts of Matabeleland provinces has irked the Civic group amid calls for the redress of the problem.
The Habakkuk Trust Advocacy Actions teams from Umzingwane, Gwanda, Matobo, Mangwe, Nkayi, Bubi, Insiza and Tsholotsho raised the concerns.
The traditional courts are presided over by either the village head, Headman or the area Chief.
They said Section 17 of the Zimbabwe's Constitution, the State must promote the full participation of women in all spheres of Zimbabwean society on the basis of equality with men.
The Action Team Vice Convener for Umzingwane Ward 5 Mrs. Mollet Dube said men have continually dominated traditional courts making it difficult for women to access justice.
"Traditionally, women were not allowed to speak in front of men and this has continued even though women have been empowered," she said. "Women are not able to fully express themselves in issues affecting them as most traditional courts are male dominated. The absence of women assessors in these courts has made it hard for women to seek justice on various crimes committed by men."
The Action Teams said even though there are some areas where there are female traditional leaders and assessors, the majority of traditional courts have no female representation.
"As such, traditional courts are biased in favour of men. Women are mere listeners and do not actively participate in these courts. We, therefore, call for the appointment of women assessors in traditional courts to allow women to access justice," she added.
Arts, Culture and Heritage Officer in the Ministry of rural development, promotion and preservation of national cultural heritage Mr. Cannan Mathema who was present at the meeting said there was a need to train traditional leadership on the contents of the Constitution.
"Traditional leaders must be taught what the Constitution says regarding equal representation so that they can include women in their team of assessors," he said. "In most cases, assessors have the power over the outcome of a case more than the Chiefs."
Mathema also encouraged communities to attend parliamentary public hearings on bills so that they can input on the policies that affect them.
The Habakkuk Trust Advocacy Actions teams from Umzingwane, Gwanda, Matobo, Mangwe, Nkayi, Bubi, Insiza and Tsholotsho raised the concerns.
The traditional courts are presided over by either the village head, Headman or the area Chief.
They said Section 17 of the Zimbabwe's Constitution, the State must promote the full participation of women in all spheres of Zimbabwean society on the basis of equality with men.
The Action Team Vice Convener for Umzingwane Ward 5 Mrs. Mollet Dube said men have continually dominated traditional courts making it difficult for women to access justice.
The Action Teams said even though there are some areas where there are female traditional leaders and assessors, the majority of traditional courts have no female representation.
"As such, traditional courts are biased in favour of men. Women are mere listeners and do not actively participate in these courts. We, therefore, call for the appointment of women assessors in traditional courts to allow women to access justice," she added.
Arts, Culture and Heritage Officer in the Ministry of rural development, promotion and preservation of national cultural heritage Mr. Cannan Mathema who was present at the meeting said there was a need to train traditional leadership on the contents of the Constitution.
"Traditional leaders must be taught what the Constitution says regarding equal representation so that they can include women in their team of assessors," he said. "In most cases, assessors have the power over the outcome of a case more than the Chiefs."
Mathema also encouraged communities to attend parliamentary public hearings on bills so that they can input on the policies that affect them.
Source - Stephen Jakes
