Why women will know their place in Chamisa's Zimbabwe

In May, MDC leader Nelson Chamisa introduced his wife to the public for the first time. While some might have thought that the reason that the spouse of such a high-profile figure was never seen previously might have been down to her modesty, Chamisa soon put those thoughts to rest.

While introducing her, and before she dared even speak, Chamisa took great joy in explaining that if he should become president his wife will know her duties in the home and she will not be involved in outside matters.

The MDC leader criticised the current First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa for her social and charity work claiming that she was "jumping up and down like a chicken" for having her own independent life and working for the betterment of the Zimbabwean people through her Angels of Hope Foundation's which uplifts the lives of disadvantaged children and other vulnerable members of society.

Chamisa then turned to his wife and told her she is "privileged" because he had already "predetermined from the beginning" that he will "not allow" his wife to behave in such a manner.

This episode underscores the rank chauvinism that Chamisa has displayed throughout the last few months of the campaign, including when he offered his sister in a vulgar bet to the president and bragged that he could bed any woman he wants, irrespective of whether they would want to entertain such advances.

It is clear that Chamisa sees women as inferior, as mere playthings that should know their place and not be on an equal footing to men.

One can see these attitudes come through when he relates to Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) Chair Justice Priscilla Chigumba. Using insults like calling her "ignorant" and trying to physically break into her office a few days ago. When she was not there to greet him and his thousands of henchmen who were screaming vulgar and sexist threats at her, Chamisa was mortified and was heard screaming about how she dared to move when he was coming.

The fact that the people around Chamisa referred to Chigumba in a repugnant sexual manner, while trying to indicate that she was licentious did not seem to bother Chamisa in the slightest.

All that appeared to bother him was that a woman did not know her place and submit to his demands, regardless of how irate, agitated or aggressive he was.

Unfortunately, we have seen Chamisa behave this way before against another woman who dared to stand her ground and would not shut up just because he wanted her to. Thokozani Khupe was hounded out of the party, viciously and violently attacked, just because she dared to stand her ground against Chamisa.

She was repeatedly abused by Chamisa and her followers, many of whom also used very disturbing sexual threats against her on social media.

Unfortunately, these incidents have become a pattern of misogynism and contempt for women.

It is increasingly clear that in Chamisa's world women should know their place and it is not in leadership positions, making a contribution to our society or even appear in the public sphere.

In 2018, it seems like one of our foremost political leaders holds views more suited to 1918.

If Chamisa becomes president, our goals of equality and gender parity will take many steps backward. While women around the world are taking great strides towards taking their rightful place in a more free and fair society, Chamisa's Zimbabwe will close the door on the dreams of our daughters and sisters and once again send them back behind closed doors.

This is Chamisa's dream, but it will be a nightmare for the women and girls of Zimbabwe.