BRIDGE empowers election professionals to boost wo...

BRIDGE empowers election professionals to boost women's participation

Patricia Mashiri

The Building Resources in Democracy, Governance and Elections program is taking significant strides to enhance women's participation in electoral processes through a specialized training module on Gender Equality and Elections.

The three-day training session, led by accredited BRIDGE facilitator Rindai Chipfunde-Vava, aims to address the concerning decline in women's participation in recent elections. The module delves into international best practices, analyzes challenges faced by women in various electoral roles, and explores strategies to overcome these obstacles.

Chipfunde-Vava highlighted the multifaceted challenges hindering women's participation, including deep-rooted patriarchal structures, cultural norms, and socioeconomic disparities. By examining these issues, the training empowers participants to develop effective strategies to promote gender equality and inclusivity.

Fadzai Tranquino, UN Women Governance Advisor, emphasized the organization's commitment to supporting Zimbabwe's efforts to empower women and girls. UN Women's initiatives focus on legislative and institutional reforms, capacity-building for women leaders, combating violence against women in politics, and promoting social norms that recognize women's leadership.