CCDN joins the international community in commemorating the International Women’s Day (IWD) under the theme #PressforProgress.
IWD is a time to reflect on progress made to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extra ordinary role in the history of their countries and communities in denouncing gender discrimination and gender based violence.
The campaign for women’s rights has produced great and noticeable results in the promotion of gender equality, women empowerment and representation of women in all spheres of life.
However, the struggle for gender equality is not yet over. Women are still underrepresented at all levels of decision-making in the public and private sectors — in cabinets, parliaments, local government leadership, central government, central committees of political parties, private sector boards and management and other institutions.
CCDN calls upon the government to adhere to gender protocols that the nation signed up for at regional and international conventions which promotes equal representation of men and women in all areas of political decision.
The government should also uphold the constitution which promotes the participation of women in governance. The government of Zimbabwe should walk the talk in promoting women’s rights and equal representation.
CCDN urges the government and other concerned stakeholders to strengthen affirmative action policies in order to combat the deep-rooted socio-cultural hindrances women face as they press for progress.
We call upon all the political parties in Zimbabwe to field more women candidates for the upcoming elections so that there is a 50-50 gender representation
We urge all the political parties to desist from political violence in order to create a conducive environment for women to participate in political processes.
