The Appointment of 2013 Cabinet Ministers in Zimbabwe: A Lost Opportunity for Gender Parity in Decision Making Positions

Type Journal Article - International Journal of Politics and Good Governance
Title The Appointment of 2013 Cabinet Ministers in Zimbabwe: A Lost Opportunity for Gender Parity in Decision Making Positions
Author(s)
Volume 5
Issue 5
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2014
URL http://www.onlineresearchjournals.com/ijopagg/art/146.pdf
Abstract
Women the world over have generally been underrepresented in decision making positions, and in cases where they are present they are relegated to peripheral positions. Despite the existence of various national, regional and international obligations to deal with gender balance and equality, women continue to be side-lined in decision making spheres. In Zimbabwe, target (3B) calling for women participation in decision making remains the only missing target of MDG 3 (promoting gender equality and women empowerment) set to be achieved by 2015. Through the liberal 2013 Constitution, people were sanguine that President Mugabe was going to use his constitutional powers to ‘walk the talk’ on gender balance and equality in cabinet. Astonishingly, the 2013 cabinet announcement was an utter disregard to national, regional and international obligations, as only 3 women made it to the 26 member cabinet. This was a regression in Zimbabwe’s efforts to achieve gender equality since independence in 1980. In justifying such a move, the President uttered that “…There were just not enough women” to choose women ministers from. Through the use of literature review this paper challenges the move as a mere lack of will, violation of the 2013 Zimbabwean Constitution, regional and international standards, and lapse in gender equality trajectory ahead of the 2015 SADC and MDGs deadline. It is envisaged that African governments, Zimbabwe included will be reminded by this paper to ‘walk the talk’ on gender equality and to improve women’s effectiveness in political positions by giving them influential ministries, as opposed to ‘window dressing’.

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