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Brief report on the women in transition workshop
Women's Coalition
April 10, 2009

More than 200 women gathered in Harare on Tuesday the 7th of April 2009 resolved to harness the current operational document of the country, the Global Political Agreement in the best possible manner to improve their lives socially, economically, politically and psychologically.

Through presentations and plenaries, the women acknowledged the importance of claiming their spaces in the different sectors, utilizing available spaces and opening up new ones where possible to increase the participation of women across the cultural and social divide.

The workshop, held under the theme Women in Transition, brought together a cross section of women from all over Zimbabwe, to ensure that it was national in outlook as well as representation. Several women's NGOs, government departments and community based organizations were represented.

Setting the tone for the conference, Minister of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development Dr Olivia Muchena underscored the need for the conference to begin redefining the Zimbabwean woman as an empowered entity in all aspects. Playing on the imagery of the game of soccer, the minister outlined the need for women to be united and have clarity of vision. The need to constantly be on the outlook for the adversaries tactics that could divide and weaken the team was primary in defining strategy and execution, she said.

The conference came on the back of the Cabinet retreat, held in Victoria Falls over the weekend, in which a 100day plan for the country was mapped by government officials. Dr Muchena indicated that the conference had outlined two key areas as priority within the plan; economic empowerment (which included food security) and the national constitution. It had been acknowledged that National Healing was also very important and an organ to look into this had been set up. The Minister of State, Honourable Sekai Holland would address the conference on the matter.

The conference acknowledged the need to understand the important documents such as the GPA and the national constitution. Honourable Jessie Majome, deputy minister of Justice and Parliamentary Affairs walked participants through issues of contention for women within the constitution and underscored the need for women to participate in the coming constitutional review process. She noted the Zimbabwean Constitution as unaccommodating of women, in particular:

• Section 23 which discriminates women and other people in public spheres - does not cover women's lives in private spaces such as homes or offices where most violations to their rights occur.
• Constitution gives credence to discrimination in marriage and inheritance
• Constitution allows discrimination against women for qualifications for public office -
• Constitution allows discrimination again in the use of public revenues in the way it allocates money buy guns and bullets instead of building clinics
• Constitution allows discrimination in the application of customary or general law in respect to communal land
• Allows affirmative action for certain sections of society not others and women remain vulnerable
• It does not consider reproductive rights, has nothing about social and economical rights, health and education,
• It does not have room for the creation of a gender commission
• It does not at all recognize equality of the sexes of all human beings
• It does not provide for quotas for representation for women unlike Sudan which has national constitution which says at least 25% shall be women. There is need for women to insist on the entrenchment of a quota or 50-50%representation in the constitution
• It does not automatically domesticate international conventions, protocols and treaties, but awaits that these be passed into Acts of Parliament first.
• Does not recognize children's rights, which are also women rights

She noted a learning point for Zimbabwe could be adoption of section 33 of the Uganda constitution which notes the rights of women as an integral part of women's lives.

This information, against the unpacking of the GPA document by WCoZ deputy Chair Rutendo Hadebe, served to reinforce women's commitment to participating in the constitutional processes to be undertaken by the Inclusive Government. Women had opportunity to revisit the 1999 constitutional process through Thoko Matshe's presentation.

Before breaking into different sessions, the women had opportunity to engage the Minister of State, Honourable Sekai Holland, on the organ of National Healing. This was in recognition that the nation, in particular women, were in dire need of healing in order for them to move on in their lives.

All women had opportunity to participate in different sessions which focused on:

i. Women and the constitution
ii. Women, Transitional Justice and Peace building
iii. Women's participation in transitional bodies and thereafter
iv. Women's education and literature
v. Women's health, HIV and AIDS
vi. Positioning women in economic reconstruction and empowerment

Groups reported back and discussed issues raised. One of the key issues raised was the prevailing injustice in relation to women's participation in parliament. A petition demanding among other things, a 50% representation of women in parliament's Select Committees was drawn up, signed and sent to the three principals and chief whips of the different political parties.

A detailed report on the conference, which was funded by the British Embassy and Action Aid International is currently being finalized.

Audrey Charamba rapporteuring team leader

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