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Zimbabwean women ponder their future as world marks women's day
Rhoda Mashavave, Zimbabwe Journalists
March 08, 2008

http://www.zimbabwejournalists.com/search.php

With only three weeks left before the long-awaited elections are held, Zimbabwean women mark the international women's day with no illusion of what their future holds.

International women's day is commemorated by women worldwide. It is a day women celebrate their womanhood, emancipation, achievements and agonies.

For most women in Zimbabwe this day is just going to be like another ordinary day with many in queues for food, water, money and many other basic necessities.

"The day is no longer celebrated as before because of police brutality, if we demonstrate against shortages of food, sanitary pads or high cost of living. We are called MDC sympathisers or politicians. It is difficult to ignore the economy pressures women face daily in Zimbabwe ," said Memory Bure, a struggling Harare mother.

Another woman concurred with Bure's views.

"I am not going to celebrate the day or vote in the coming elections. I have not been impressed by the candidates. Even if I vote there won't be much differences. In 2002 I braved the long queue and sweltering heat to vote for my favourite candidate. I never made it because of the harassment I received from the policemen manning the queue. We were accused of voting twice and many people were beaten. I would rather stay home and watch people voting," lamented the woman who refused to be named.

She added: "Even if I decide to vote will it make a difference? We have a winner before the actual elections. I would rather join a food queue and stock up cooking oil, mealie meal and sugar in my home. I am sure the prices will rise sharply soon after the elections. Plus there are few women candidates who care about our problems."

Male candidates continue to dominate the Zimbabwean political landscape even though women constitute 52 percent of the population.

Organisations like Women in Politics Support Unit have been on the fore-front fighting for the participation of women in politics and decision making positions.

Another woman interviewed had a different opinion on the upcoming elections.

"I am going to exercise my right to vote even though I am not optimistic about the future after the elections. My vote will make a difference somehow. My choice is my secret. There is no need to talk about the person I am going to vote for," said Muchaneta Dube.

"Women suffer most during elections because they are subjected to all forms of violence from the police, ruling and opposition parties. Its better to just not talk about the candidate you are going to vote for," said Dube.

In the past people perceived to be supporting the opposition have been harassed, beaten up and even killed by the ruling party supporters. Some women have been even been raped because of their political beliefs.

It is yet to be seen if the upcoming elections are going to ease the lives of many women who continue to suffer under the current government. Many hope somehow for a miracle to end the woes blighting the lives of many an ordinary woman and the girl child in Zimbabwe.

And as they commemorate international women's day, many would be thinking of the good old days that they yearn to return to. Their current situation is so bad and continues to get worse by the day.

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