Women petition for Parliamentary Select Committee representation

Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail Reporter
28 June 2009

THE Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development and local women’s organisations are pushing for the Parliamentary Select Committee leading the crafting of a new Constitution to reserve a quota of positions on its sub-committees for women to ensure they are well represented during the process.

The Women’s Trust executive director, Ms Luta Shaba, said last week that a petition outlining this and other positions will be presented to the committee tomorrow.

She said delegates to the recently held Women’s National Constitutional Consultative Conference in Harare had resolved that women get 50 percent representation on all the committees’ sub-structures.

A list of more than 400 prospective members has already been compiled, she said.

“Without pre-empting much, the petition speaks to the committee to adhere to its commitment that women will constitute 50 percent of sub-committee membership.

“The issues in the document are women-specific,” said Ms Shaba, who was the conference co-ordinator.

The Minister of Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development, Dr Olivia Muchena, confirmed last Friday that she would present the petition tomorrow.

“We are still to get in touch with the select committee co-chairpersons ( Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana MP, Douglas Mwonzora MP and Senator David Coltart). However, the presentation (of the petition) will be done on Monday,” she said.

In terms of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Act (Number 19), the select committee is obliged to set up sub-committees that will assist in executing its mandate.

A total of 12 thematic sub-committees comprising 40 members each have been proposed.

The sub-committees are expected to collect and synthesise gathered information. Ms Shaba said the conference, held under the theme “Have Your Say”, drew participants from more than 26 different sectors countrywide.

She said delegates were drafted into thematic groups during break-away sessions.

This culminated in interested members in the respective groups submitting their names for consideration in the formulation of a new Constitution.

She said the names would be released upon the setting up of membership profiles for the sub-committees.

“The women agreed that the Constitution-making process was across the board; it is for everyone and everyone should be involved.

“Women are interested in the process,” said Ms Shaba.

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