Women's contribution to politics and national development in Zimbabwe

The world is taking a paradigm shift interms of national development. You find that in the past most influential roles, and strategic positions in society were for men and women were merely for domestic issues and providing labour and farming activities. Mostly women are outdone by men, and majority of them are subject to sexual harassment in society and work places. One of the agenda of the United Nations through the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) is gender equality. In Zimbabwe we have seen women rising in politics and development and minority of them taking up national strategic positions both in Government and Private sector.

Examples of women taking national roles in politics and development

Grace Mugabe
Grace Mugabe the first Lady of Zimbabwe has done her best interms of politics and development. She rose through the ranks from a mere typist to the wife of the president. She has been participating in several development issues such as Danhiko project, Mazoe orphanage project, farming through her family project Gushungo dairy farm project which has contributed employment to many vulnerable families including the surrounding communities. She rose through the ranks to become the women's league boss in Zanu Pf which is a major achievement. In the past women's league in the past was not visible as it is today, she has challenged most men. We have seen her campaigning against girl child and early marriages issues which has affected most young and vulnerable children. This is one of the women who have done so well interms of self-composure and development. She has proved that she has the guts to do things that men cannot do.

Jessie Majome
Jessie Majome has done very well as a human rights lawyer. She has been very visible in human rights cases. She is one of the lawyers who has done tremendous work interms of human and civil cases. She has fought hard for the rights of women. Interms of education Jessie Majome has done very well being a lawyer by profession. On the other side of her profession, we have seen her doing very well interms of her parliamentary duties. She is one of the few outstanding legislators in the country. She takes parliamentary duties seriously. When conducting public hearings on different bills, she is a brave women who can be able to articulate issues in the right manner.

Thokozani Khupe
Thokozani Khupe is an exemplary in society, motherly, very caring, a natural leader, who rose from the ranks of being a security guard at NRZ Mutare to a Deputy Prime Minister of Zimbabwe. When she started during her days at National Railways of Zimbabwe Workers association of Zimbabwe, many ruled her out, but she fought hard to be where she is today. Khupe is one of the few women in society who have proved to have leadership qualities both at party and national level. I had the opportunity to listen to her parliamentary debates, she is an intelligent, vibrant women who knows how to articulate questions without fear. She has done very well interms of education as well. She acquired her MBA from Nasty University in Bulawayo in Zimbabwe.

Joice Mujuru
Mujuru fought during the liberation struggle. She participated during and after the national struggle. Despite coming from humble background, she rose through the ranks from a mere young cabinet minister in the 80s to the deputy president of the republic of Zimbabwe. She became the first women to occupy that post since independence. She has been involved in national politics, of recent she has formed her own political outfit National People's Party. She done very well in farming as well. Mujuru despite being the Vice President of Zimbabwe, she acquired a PHD in strategic Management from Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT). Since 1980 she held several cabinet posts such as Land Minister, Water and Agriculture Minister Etc. in the early 80s despite the cabinet positions held by men, she was one of the very few women to be given cabinet positions in Mugabe's Government.

Priscilla Mushonga-Misihairambwi
She is one of the outstanding figures in society who has done very well in politics and development. She has been live in parliament, and when you listen to her debates in parliament you can tell she is a visible leader who deserve respect. She is visionary, she bring wealthy ideas to our parliament, and takes development to constituency level. She has participated in many developmental projects, child rights and women issues in Zimbabwe. She has been campaigning against abuse of women and children in society. She has been advocating for child rights and Laws that protect vulnerable in our society. If you listen to her debates she is very vocal interms of national matters. She is after development and very neutral when contributing to national debates.

Jane Mutasa
She is a Zimbabwean woman known in business and investments circles. She has done very well in investments within and outside the country. Jane Mutasa has done very well in entrepreneurship and business development. She is the founder of the Indigenous Business Women's organization (IBWO).  She is one of the outstanding figures in society who has done what other men can never do in business and development. She has risen through the ranks to become one of the very few women to contribute to national development. SHE LED Telecel Zimbabwe as the group chairman.

Challenges women face in society

Sexual harassment
In most cases most women when they get promoted either in political, development or national politics they face sexual harassment. Most men take advantage of those women. Most of these women give in probably because of fear of victimisation and internal struggles, which is difficult for them to manage. Men take advantage of these promotions to ask for sexual favours. Very few women survive such harsh conditions except the few that know their rights. We urge women to stand for their rights in society and report such cases if there can be any. It is very important for women to participate in national development and politics, and contribute to national economic growth.

Lack of resources
Most resources are channelled to men only. More than 75% of resource allocation are given to men, or they take advantage of having access to resource and divert them for personal gain or their male counterparts. Very few women have access to resources, so they are left with no option except to resort to domestic labour and vending activities.

Victimisation
Most women are victimised probably because of failing to give in to sexual demands or sexual abuse. Most of these cases are never reported, or exposed because most of the women would want to protect their jobs so they do everything. They can give go to the extent of doing things outside their mandate to please their own bosses.

Most women believe leading roles are for men
Most women are very shy to take up leading roles. They have fear of the unknown, they don't believe in themselves, they always think its men only. If you very well very few women have very well in leading outstanding roles. It's good for women to take leading roles and participate in national development. There is need for gender diversity and accommodate women so that we have a nationalistic approach and realise their talents as well.
 
Family responsibilities
Most women cannot take any leadership positions because of family responsibilities. Most women are pre occupied with domestic issues which requires them to be at home most of the time. Maternity issues are some of the challenges as well. They take leave days and also other domestic challenges, attending to domestic and family needs as well.
 
Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo writes in his personal capacity as the Head of Mentorship Institute of National Development and Sustainability (MINDS). He is a development analyst and consultant. He can be contacted at greatorminds@gmail.com