Uplifting female leadership: The push for gender p...

Uplifting female leadership: The push for gender parity in public service

Audrey Galawu

Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa said there is need to promote gender equality across all levels of Public Service in order to uplift women’s voices.

Speaking at the fifth edition of the Women in Local Government Forum (rural) Congress on Thursday, Minister Mutsvangwa said gender diverse councils lead to better policy outcomes, more sustainable development and increased satisfaction among residents.

Mutsvangwa said the theme of this year’s forum “Achieving Parity: The Critical Role of Women in Local Governance” could not be timelier.

She said women make up less than 20 percent of Council Chairpersons, councillors and senior administrators in many Rural District Councils, an imbalance which undermines the principles of democracy and social justice enshrined in the Constitution.

“The decline in women’s participation we have witnessed in recent years should be a wakeup call. It tells us that the struggle for gender equality is far from over. That centuries of patriarchy and discrimination cannot be undone overnight. And that, even in 2023, there remains systemic barriers holding women back from public leadership.

“Local politics continues to be seen as a ‘man’s game’. Deeply embedded social norms deter women from pursuing office. Political parties fail to recruit, nominate and support female candidates. Lack of campaign financing prevents aspiring leaders from getting their message out.

“Family obligations and unsafe working environments impede participation and pernicious attitudes questioning women’s competence and qualifications still persist.

“These challenges call on us - women and men, youth and elder, urban and rural - to double our commitment to gender equity. We must dismantle the formal and informal obstacles limiting women’s ascent as leaders and decision-makers.

“We must open up political space so that women’s voices can be heard and their talents allowed to shine. And we must work actively to shift social perceptions about women's roles in governance and development.

“As Minister, I am proud of the steps we have taken as a nation to promote the equal participation of women. Landmark policies such as the National Gender Policy, the establishment of the Gender Commission, and Constitutional provisions aimed at gender equality have laid the groundwork. Our achievement of the 30% quota for women in local government was a hard-won milestone,” she said.

She, however, said policy alone is not adequate but there is need for action across all levels of government and civil society to implement and build on these gender equality frameworks.

“More training programs are needed to help women gain necessary skills and experience. Stronger recruitment efforts must seek out promising young female leaders.

“Political parties have to make gender parity a central priority, not an afterthought. And all Zimbabweans men and women alike need to internalise that women’s empowerment is not just a ‘women’s issue’ – it’s everyone’s responsibility.

“The Women in Local Government Forum plays a vital role in driving this change. For over a decade, it has connected, inspired and amplified female voices. By sharing stories of struggle and triumph, WILGF builds solidarity and collective power. Through skills training and advocacy campaigns, it equips women to succeed as candidates and officials. And it fosters cooperation between civil society, government and the private sector around a shared goal - achieving 50/50 representation in local governance bodies,” she added.

Mutsvangwa urged women leaders to make their voices heard and to build partnerships across party lines in service of the people.