NPP celebrates own in 16 days of activism

Revolutionary greetings dear comrades. We recently witnessed the inauguration of Mnangagwa's cabinet which is not gender sensitive and deficient of young blood. That did not come as a surprise because the expulsion of Cde Joice Mujuru from Zanu was a clear sign that the organisation is not gender sensitive.

Times have changed and we are living in a global village where men and women are equal before the law and the throne of grace. There must be equal education, employment and  business opportunities for everyone regardless of their gender, poltical affiliation and ethnic extraction. Furthermore we want equal admissibility before public offices. A Dr Mujuru led NPP is capable of achieving all that and more.

Women in patriarchal societies were trapped in domesticity. They were treated as objects of production and reproduction. They were only supposed to occupy the domestic sphere because the other spheres were deemed out of their reach. Politics was also believed to be a gendered space, exclusively for men. Women who actively participated in politics before independence were viewed as social diviants and outcasts.

Cde Mujuru penetrated the once male dominated political space in 1973 and made a mark. She left no stone unturned and no corner unstonned. She thus paved way for female politicians to actively participate in politics without fear of being victimised. Cde Joice Mujuru proved beyond reasonable doubt that women can also actively participate in politics and achieve what their male counterparts could achieve. Politics is thus not a musculine domain, it is very unisex.

As we celebrate 16 days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence let us remember heroines like Joice Mujuru who defied the narrative of the patriarchal order that education and politics are masculine domains way beyond the reach of women. Her contributions in uplifting the society of Zimbabwe and beyond, confirm that men are not a breed apart but were instead unfairly catapulted  to better positions by the conservative order.

Cde Mujuru empowered herself with education from high school to PhD level. She is a living proof to a girl child that nothing is impossible. Mujuru proved that education is nolonger a gendered space, but an inclusive space for both men and women. A girl child can now freely invest in education like her male counterparts.

On 8 March 2007, Cde Mujuru was bestowed with A Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her positive contribution towards the rights of women. She was presented the award by Women Appreciating Women (WAW). This attests to the fact that she is a heroine who has faught against women abuse in Zimbabwe and beyond. She is a shinning beacon of women emancipation.

The fact that she attended at the Zimbabwe Women's University in Africa makes her a proper voice agaisnt gender based violence. Having worked with her in NPP, i have learnt that she stands unwavering for women's emancipation and the promotion of women's rights.

It can be argued that her dismissal from Zanu Pf was gender based. The conservative men in Zanu  Pf who did not want to be presided by a woman felt it diminished. They felt it was a challenge to the pillars of their manhood/masculinity.

The god of masculinity must be destroyed today, now in this very hour because it diminishes women and their capabilities. Those who worship the god of gender must repent and embrace change.

NPP and its honourable President is wholly against gender based violence. We unashamedly submit that we will protect at any cost all women agaisnt abuse by their male counterparts. Pepertratators must be punished severely for crimes of abuse against women.

NPP further believes that biblically, men must be protectors of their female counterparts. We believe it is man's God given duty to ptotect women and children. Let us therefore celebrate our women and their femininity. As NPP we say NO to gender based violence. We proudly promote gender equality and support women in politics.

Dear comrades, victory is certain. Allutta continua.
NPP National Youth Desk