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Gibson Nyikadzino, Interview

The month of November kick-starts advocacy to end all forms of violence and discrimination against women.

Sweden, since 1980, has been Zimbabwe’s leading development partner championing Government-to-Government efforts to promote women’s participation in political processes, empowerment initiatives and gender-inclusivity. Swedish Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Per Lindgärde (PL) spoke with Zimpapers Politics Hub’s Gibson Nyikadzino (GN) about bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and Sweden, efforts being made to promote gender equality and how the European country managed to make progress on gender-equality. Below are the excerpts:

GN: How did Sweden manage to ensure gender equality at a time the world had no guiding international conventions and international laws?

PL: It was something that started in Sweden during the 18th century. This was at a time some intellectual women initiated a debate and some female journalists who were brave enough to take the initiative to start a debate on gender roles and equality. That was the beginning of the discussion in Sweden on gender equality.

A bit later we had the first civil society organisation that was founded by women in 1819 and that organisation was later followed by similar organisations during the second half of the 19th century. The women started to organise themselves politically in the Swedish work and union organisations and movements.

The first women’s workers club was established in 1888 and later there was more demand for universal and equal suffrage. In 1902 the Swedish Society for Women Suffrage was founded and that led to the decision of the Swedish parliament in May 1919 to decide on universal and equal voting rights for women and men.

GN: What key opportunities have women accessed as a result of this in Sweden?

PL: The most important reforms were during the 1970s. They were on individual taxation for women. Before, they were taxed together with the men. Reforms were also implemented on child care benefits, gender neutral parental leave, and a Gender Equality Act was adopted in 1979.

The most important reform was a generous family policy aimed at supporting the combination of work and children. Sweden was the first country in the world to introduce paid parental leave for fathers in 1974. Today, the Swedish parental insurance entitles parents to 480 days of paid parental leave when a child is born or adopted.

Each parent is entitled to 240 of those days. The thinking is that both parents should have a responsibility to stay home with their child during a certain period of time because that will also enable women to work.

GN: How did these reforms influence the adoption of such measures to promote equality in other countries?

PL: Since Sweden has been recognised as a role model when it comes to gender equality, many countries have looked at the Swedish experience, the reforms and probably introduced similar reforms. We have in the Nordic countries a close cooperation through the Nordic Council. Our neighbouring countries have been forthcoming when it comes to gender equality. It is not only Sweden.

I think Sweden has had development cooperation since the 1960s, for example, in many countries in Africa where promotion of gender equality has been one thematic area since the beginning. It has been emphasised more and more in our developmental support to many African countries. I hope our support to women’s organisations in Zimbabwe, for example, have had some impact on the promotion of women economic empowerment and gender equality in general.

GN: Gender-Based Violence (GBV) or violence against women have been attributed to patriarchal attitudes in society. How can societies change their mindsets and become more inclusive for both men and women?

PL: The attitudes do not change overnight. It takes time. What is important is to have support from the highest level. If there is political will, changes can be made. What we need are role models. We need to have men taking the stand, expressing their views in favour of gender equality and work against GBV. We need these kind of role models at all levels in the societies, from the government, down to the local authorities and traditional leaders. Men have an important role to play in fighting GBV. A clear political will is of great importance when it comes to taking steps towards a more equal society. We need to ensure that people are not subjected to violence, that they are better protected and supported. GBV is unacceptable.

GN: How much progress have Zimbabwe and Sweden made in ending GBV and ensure women empowerment is achieved through various frameworks?

PL: Sweden has been here as a development partner since Zimbabwe’s independence. We have provided support to gender equality, when it comes to sexual and reproductive health and rights services (SRHR). So young girls, for example, can go to health clinics to have the SRHR services. We have provided support to combat GBV. We give support to some organisations here in Zimbabwe promoting women’s active participation in political processes and economic decision making.

We also support different organisations to strengthen women’s economic empowerment. It could be, for example, providing training of digital skills. We also have a good dialogue and cooperation with the Government.

GN: How do you view the relations between the two countries and the impact on ending GBV?

PL: I was with the Minister of Women’s Affairs on Women’s Day, Monica Mutsvangwa on the 8th of March this year and we have had several joint events. That is valuable from our side that we have been able to establish that close cooperation with the Minister of Women’s Affairs.

GN: How are Zimbabwe and Sweden complementing each other to ensure that issues to do with the GBV are addressed appropriately?

PL: The Spotlight Initiative is an important initiative. It was launched jointly by the European Union (EU), the United Nations, and the Zimbabwean Government. The parties actually signed a high-level political commitment on ending GBV. We have been part of the implementation of the Spotlight Initiative.

GN: What is your message to the young girls and boys?

PL: The most important thing for a young boy or a young girl is to stay in school, to complete their education, that is the best start in life. It is important for young girls not to drop out of school, not to get married too early, not to get a child too early. It is important for a girl to complete education as she will have much better chances to be an independent woman and to get a job and a better future.