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Locadia Mavhudzi Midlands Correspondent
WOMEN’S Coalition of Zimbabwe’s Gweru chapter has called on women to maximise their capacity and potential on issues of governance following their poor participation in socio-economic and political activities.

Speaking during a chapter review meeting on women’s participation in governance, chairperson of the young women cluster Ms Lorraine Zinyemba said some of the issues preventing women from participating in issues of governance are lack of support from other women and lack of confidence.

“The review process is mainly looking at challenges affecting women to participate in governance, be it in ward, district, local authorities, provincial leadership and even national positions. We have realized that women’s participation in the previous election was poor as evidenced by one councillor out of 18 seats in Gweru City council,” she said.

WCoZ has been running a two year campaign named #SWAG (Strengthening Women’s Advocacy For Inclusive Governance Programme) to mobilise and support women seeking to participate in governance structures since 2017.

She urged women to stand up for their rights, to have the confidence to participate in all socio-economic and political processes in their communities since women tend to understand each other’s issues better.

“It is high time for women to open their eyes so that they can participate and stand up for other women in their communities. Due to patriarchy, politics has been male dominated since time immemorial and now that the constitution is giving women an equal opportunity and rights, but women haven’t grasped the concept and don’t have belief that they can do it,” she said.

Women who attended the meeting appealed for the need for continual mentorship of women so that they gain confidence to participate in politics.

“Now that we have ample time to prepare for the 2023 election, we need capacity building so that we gain confidence to stand for political positions as women. Lack of education has become a hindrance for us to fully participate in local governance issues as well as being financially independent,” said a participant who declined to be identified.