News / National
Making the new constitution work for women
26 Jun 2014 at 18:55hrs | Views
The rights and provisions given to women and the girl child by the new constitution of Zimbabwe should be put into practice and not remain as a mere document if Zimbabwe is to make headway in dealing with gender imbalances between men and women in the country.
The new constitution, which replaced the 1979 Lancaster House constitution, creates gender equality by providing equal opportunities for political, economic and social activities.
Addressing thousands of guests attending the national women's conference dubbed "making the constitution work for women," Acting President Joice Mujuru said the constitution of the land should be taken seriously as it was one of the reasons that Zimbabweans fought for during the liberation struggles of the First and Second Chimurenga, claiming heroes like Mbuya Nehanda and Sekuru Kaguvi.
Mujuru urged Zimbabweans to understand the constitution and ensure that women and the girl child derive maximum benefits from the new supreme law of the land whose provisions have given women more rights where discrimination in personal matters based on customary laws and practices are no longer allowed.
Mujuru said the issue of gender equality and gender equity is not just for women alone to look at, but requires both sexes working together to ensure that the dignity of women is maintained.
She condemned in the strongest terms women who look down upon themselves and those who turn a blind eye on cases of child abuse, especially the giving away in marriage of young girls, citing the multiple rape case of self-styled Independent End Time Message pastor Robert Martin Gumbura.
Mujuru called on the state and institutions to protect and enhance the right of people, especially women to equal opportunities in development by ensuring that the provisions for women are enshrined into acts and policies for implementation.
The conference drew participants from all parts of the country as well as government ministers who included the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Dr Ignatius Chombo who got a SADC accolade for the high number of women leading departments in his ministry.
The President of the Senate Edna Madzongwe and Deputy Speaker of Parliament Mabel Chinomona and some legislators were also among the delegates.
The new constitution, which replaced the 1979 Lancaster House constitution, creates gender equality by providing equal opportunities for political, economic and social activities.
Addressing thousands of guests attending the national women's conference dubbed "making the constitution work for women," Acting President Joice Mujuru said the constitution of the land should be taken seriously as it was one of the reasons that Zimbabweans fought for during the liberation struggles of the First and Second Chimurenga, claiming heroes like Mbuya Nehanda and Sekuru Kaguvi.
Mujuru urged Zimbabweans to understand the constitution and ensure that women and the girl child derive maximum benefits from the new supreme law of the land whose provisions have given women more rights where discrimination in personal matters based on customary laws and practices are no longer allowed.
She condemned in the strongest terms women who look down upon themselves and those who turn a blind eye on cases of child abuse, especially the giving away in marriage of young girls, citing the multiple rape case of self-styled Independent End Time Message pastor Robert Martin Gumbura.
Mujuru called on the state and institutions to protect and enhance the right of people, especially women to equal opportunities in development by ensuring that the provisions for women are enshrined into acts and policies for implementation.
The conference drew participants from all parts of the country as well as government ministers who included the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Dr Ignatius Chombo who got a SADC accolade for the high number of women leading departments in his ministry.
The President of the Senate Edna Madzongwe and Deputy Speaker of Parliament Mabel Chinomona and some legislators were also among the delegates.
Source - zbc
