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Activist
condemns chiefs' inclusion in Gender Commission
Bulawayo Agenda
May 23, 2012
Bulawayo-based
civic activist, Effie Ncube has condemned the inclusion of chiefs
in the Gender Commission as spelt out in the first draft
of the new constitution.
He said this
at a meeting organized by Bulawayo Agenda to analyze the first draft
of the constitution on Monday.
The Chapter 13 of the draft constitution states that one member
of the Gender Commission "must" be nominated by the
Council of Chiefs.
Ncube said this
might compromise the goals of the Commission as Chiefs have been
accused of being aligned to and serving the interests of ZANU PF.
"Chiefs'
Council's contribution to the Gender Commission will raise
cultural challenges and political dilutions as chiefs are aligned
to ZANU PF. They are bound to oppose modern day initiatives to achieve
gender equality citing cultural reasons," said Ncube who is
also the Director of Matabeleland Constitutional Reform Agenda.
According to
Chapter 13 of the first draft constitution, one of the main functions
of the Gender Commission shall be to investigate possible violations
of rights relating to gender and to recommend affirmative action
programs to achieve gender equality.
Ncube pointed
out that the inclusion of Chiefs who are custodians of tradition
as part of the gender Commission will create conflicts within the
Commission due to differences between the traditional and modem
gender practices.
The commission
shall be appointed by the President subject to approval by the Senate.Ncube's
comments come hard on the heels of calls by progressive forces to
transform the traditional leadership institution which has become
politicized.
Making his submissions
at the same meeting, human rights lawyer Matshobana Ncube said the
first draft of the constitution shows that Devolution is the cornerstone
of the new constitution.
However, he
called for clear and detailed devolution framework that spells out
roles and limitations of Provincial Government and the Central Government
so as to avoid conflicts or sabotage of one level by the other.
The participants
in the meeting reaffirmed that devolution of power should as a matter
of principle and in respect of the citizens views be clearly spelt
out in the new constitution.
Ncube, despite
being involved in the latest stages of the constitution making process,
was speaking in his individual capacity. Also visit:
http://www.newsday.co.zw/article/2012-05-22-moyo-under-fire-over-new-constitution/
for comments on Presidential powers.
Ncube reiterated
the need for mutual relations and corporation between the three
tiers of government for the devolution system to be effective and
sustainable development achieved. The composition of Provincial
Assemblies is still a "parked" issue in the draft constitution.
The meeting
was attended by civic and political activists from Bulawayo. Bulawayo
Agenda is due to submit a position paper to COPAC on the first draft.
The organisation continues to advocate for the respect of the citizens
views in the making
of the new constitution.
Visit the Bulawayo
Agenda fact sheet
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.
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