The Way I See It - Women Only Voters' Roll

Clara Zetkin (1857 -1933) is a name that may not mean much or be known to many in Zimbabwe, yet she was the German politician and defender of the rights of women who started the International Women's Day on March 8th 1910.

On Thursday, some women groups in Zimbabwe tried to organise rallies to celebrate the day. For the majority of unemployed women in ZUPA (WiZ) however, it was just another day. Their priority was to fend for their families. "It is a men's world," they feel powerless.

Elsewhere around the globe, millions of people celebrated the 8th March IWD. They increased the volume on calls for a deliberate process to promote and increase women participation in high level decision making. It got me thinking: What would happen if the new constitution provides for 2 voters' rolls; one for men and the other for women?

Politics must be a reflection of the society it governs. Zimbabwe is a society that takes pride in defining the different roles for men and women. There are more women Zimbabweans than there are males, yet at the high table of decision making and power where it matters most, women are underrepresented.

Many may be surprised that it has taken more than a century since Zetkin launched the International Day for Women to make no progress.

As I grew up, I realised that Zimbabwe has no playgrounds like other places. Young boys have to do what men do, be it at their own pace. Girls follow their mothers and learn domestic skills at a very early stage. It is clear there is a dividing line in roles as soon as you start walking as a toddler.

In all social circles, boys are kept separate from girls. Any male visitor is automatically sent to spend time with male folks and females alike.

In church, women tend to sit and worship on one side and men on the other. At celebrations and at funerals, the line is clear.

On my first day in school, the teacher prepared two registers, one for boys and another for girls. This turned out to b the case throughout Zimbabwe even at College.

I am made to understand that many workplaces have areas reserved for women and separate ones for men.

Yet if all the records that Zimbabwe holds for all purposes clearly separate men from women, why could this not be done for the most important register of all, the voters' roll.

I speak not for women but pose a question; would it be a bad idea if women were to elect their own politicians and men elect their own politicians. The two could then work together in one balanced parliament. 50:50; to reflect our population distribution.
In my school, we had a head boy and head girl as well as equal numbers of male and female prefects.

In sport, women and girls are separated from men and boys and the world of sport is still harmonious.

There is no question that women are equally capable once they are in positions of power. The challenge remains the preparedness of those currently in power to usher in a change that reflects the population whose problems they seek to address.

Maybe it is time Zimbabwe uses the ongoing constitution making process to demonstrate to the world that politics has to reflect society. A century later, this could be a simpler interpretation of what Clara Zetkin advocated for in launching the International Women's Day.

That, is the way I see it in this 9th week of 2012.

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Thamsanqa Zhou Jr is the Director of Strategy for ZUPA, the association in Zimbabwe representing the interest of unemployed people or in poverty. He is writing the Column "The Way I See it" weekly, in his personal capacity and is contactable on Thamsanqa.zhou.jnr@zupazim.org