Zimpapers Logo

Walter Nyamukondiwa Kariba Bureau
WOMEN are reviewing progress made under the Beijing Platform of Action and finding ways of dovetailing its 12 thematic areas into Government’s Vision 2030. The review comes several months before the 25th anniversary celebrations since the Beijing Conference of 1995, where the 12 critical areas affecting women were identified.

Speaking at a review workshop here, Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe secretary Mrs Sithembiso Sibhula said the review looks at challenges and successes registered so far in improving the status of women.

“The Beijing Declaration came up with 12 critical areas in which women are still under-represented or not involved at all with a view to ensure equality and access to opportunities for women, girls and boys,” said Mrs Sibhula.

“From then going forward we want to contribute to Vision 2030. From those 12 critical areas of concerns we want to see what we can do to contribute to its attainment.”

Women and their representative groups, said Mrs Sibhula, were reviewing the Beijing Platform for Action ahead of their 25th commemorations in 2020.

“The review tracks progress, achievements, challenges, gaps and recommendations that we can put forward to comprehensively contribute towards Vision 2030 which seeks to make Zimbabwe an upper middle income economy,” said Mrs Sibhula.

“Some of the critical areas identified include women and poverty, education and training of women, health, violence against women, armed conflict, the economy, power and decision-making, media, institutional mechanism, environment and the girl child, among others.”

Mrs Sibhula said most of the issues raised in 1995 were still relevant today, while progress has been registered in some areas.

Among areas that still need to be fully addressed, she said, was de-feminisation of poverty through increased access to savings and credit facilities and review of some cultural norms and values.

“One of the major challenges is the marginalisation of rural women and of note is the fact that the Beijing Declaration focuses on rights and does not place much emphasis on cultural norms and values,” said Mrs Sibhula.

“This means that there is need for awareness raising, especially among women in rural communities.”

While progress had been made in the inclusion of women in positions of power and decision-making, Mrs Sibhula said their voices were not being heard.

She said political parties should put in place and fully implement policies that enhance women’s participation in political processes, training of women to build their capacities in political and decision-making processes.

To bridge the gap, the Constitution under Section 124(1)(b) provides reserved seats for women under proportional representation, but the 10-year moratorium lapses in 2023 but Cabinet recently made recommendations to extend it by another 10 years.