News / National
Zimbabwe’s deputy prime minister threatens a no vote campaign
10 Sep 2011 at 14:24hrs | Views
Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe has threatened to break ranks with the government's constitutional led process and campaign for a No Vote if the draft constitution does not offer reforms that will empower women.
Khupe said she will mobilise Zimbabwean women to vote oagainst the draft constitution in a referendum expected later this year or early next year if the Constitutional Parliamentary Select Committee (Copac) does not include a provision that promise women empowerment.
Addressing a meeting of Bulawayo women in business and politics on Friday during her 50-50 Campaign Programme meant to empower women, Khupe said Copac should not make a mistake to bring a draft constitution that doesn't give equal rights to women as it will be rejected.
"Copac should take us seriously if their draft constitutional document does not carry a provision that empower women we will reject it. We also want Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to disqualify any political party which will want to enter next elections without 50 percent gender balance," said Khupe.
Zimbabwe Women's Parliamentary Caucus chairperson and Zanu-PF legislator for Goromonozi West, Beater Nyamupinga who also attended the meeting called for women to support all women in high positions in government besides that there are from different parties.
"We should not politicise this programme we should support all women in government of Zimbabwe whether its Vice President Joice Mujuru or Deputy Prime Minister Khupe,"said Nyamupinga.
Under a the Global Political Agreement (GPA) that gave birth to the country's power-sharing government Zimbabwe through Constitutional Parliamentary Select Committee (Copac) is currently drafting a new constitution before holding new elections.
Khupe said she will mobilise Zimbabwean women to vote oagainst the draft constitution in a referendum expected later this year or early next year if the Constitutional Parliamentary Select Committee (Copac) does not include a provision that promise women empowerment.
Addressing a meeting of Bulawayo women in business and politics on Friday during her 50-50 Campaign Programme meant to empower women, Khupe said Copac should not make a mistake to bring a draft constitution that doesn't give equal rights to women as it will be rejected.
"Copac should take us seriously if their draft constitutional document does not carry a provision that empower women we will reject it. We also want Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to disqualify any political party which will want to enter next elections without 50 percent gender balance," said Khupe.
Zimbabwe Women's Parliamentary Caucus chairperson and Zanu-PF legislator for Goromonozi West, Beater Nyamupinga who also attended the meeting called for women to support all women in high positions in government besides that there are from different parties.
"We should not politicise this programme we should support all women in government of Zimbabwe whether its Vice President Joice Mujuru or Deputy Prime Minister Khupe,"said Nyamupinga.
Under a the Global Political Agreement (GPA) that gave birth to the country's power-sharing government Zimbabwe through Constitutional Parliamentary Select Committee (Copac) is currently drafting a new constitution before holding new elections.
Source - RadioVOP
