Speaking at a three-day forum which was attended by councillors from different countries at the Avani Resort and Casino, Dube pleaded with the participants to come up with strategies that could increase the number of women councillors.
The forum was peer-to-peer regional learning event for local authorities. “This kind of forum is supposed to help women to network with others from different countries.
They should find ways to help each other and increase their participation. There are countries that are doing well when it comes to women issues. Women can share ideas or strategies to help one another during campaigns for political leadership positions. Countries like Zimbabwe which have a quota of women representation in their constitution could help others to adopt the same style.
Even if it has its own disadvantages, it is a good move,” Dube said. She said there is limited data on women’s participation in local government. Dube further revealed that apathy towards politics as a result of poor civic education affects women's political participation, especially in local government. Councillor Idirashe Dongo of Zanu PF revealed that in her country there is a legal framework which includes quota systems. She said recently they awarded 30% at the local government level which will see 591 women joining the council in 2023. “There is also a provision through the banks which political women who are contesting for general elections are allowed to get loans for their campaigns.
The regulatory mandate states that the women coming in for political leadership must be 18-35 years which is inclusive in a 30% quota. This has helped a lot since representation of women has improved as the majority comes in as nominated councillors,” Dongo said. She, however, said she is worried that those who are elected are very few in local government as many prefer men to women.
Dongo further said what is very worrisome is that elected councillors especially men discriminate against nominated councillors because they believe the latter do not have a mandate from residents. Another specially elected councillor Yvonne Mati from Kenya said her country has also agreed on quota after women advocated that it should be included in the national constitution. “Women must not shy away from speaking up on their issues. Only political women can stand up for other women's rights and help on policies that affect them.
In our country, an NGO, Gender links is helping those women who want to contest for political positions with ideas to use during campaigns. For those that do not have 30% quota in their constitution, I will advise them to speak openly about it in all women fora and even at their party level,” Mati said. For her part, Former Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Botlogile Tshireletso encouraged aspirant women political leaders to work hard in their areas. “Women should not only depend on being chosen through special nominations. As women, we must be able to fight for what we want. Let us not fear men in this game.
It is time we face them and beat them to their game. We should not get discouraged by some words they use against us. They do that to scare us from contesting against them,” Tshireletso said. She also advised women to stop de-campaigning each other during elections. She highlighted that instead they should support each other.
The former Mahalapye East legislator said if women were united and cooperative, their numbers in Parliament and council could be impressive. The purpose of the forum among other things was to increase the presence of women and amplify their voice in political processes and institutions in Africa. The forum was also meant to set up advocacy for women and expand awareness towards increased demands for the inclusion of women at all levels of political participation and decision-making. It was aimed at building, strengthening and enabling platforms and networks that allow for women’s inclusion in all levels of political participation.
