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Women's concern over unfolding 'consultative' Constitution making process
Women's Coalition of Zimbabwe
July 15, 2009

The Women's Coalition of Zimbabwe is expressing concern and alarm over the apparently deteriorating consultations on the constitution making process. Recent events leading up to the just ended National Stakeholders' Conference, which began on Monday 13 July 2009, have left the Women's Coalition of Zimbabwe with a lot of uncertainties over the process.

The lack of adequate information, non-timely registration of delegates, lack of clear programme right up to mid-morning on the 13th and the chaos ensuing during the proceedings are pointing to a compromised consultative process.

WCoZ believes that actions leading to the final draft constitution, where every voice should count, are as fundamentally important as the final product; if this is compromised then the final product shall not have captured the views and concerns of the people. Women constitute more than half of Zimbabwe's population, and if measures are taken to proscribe our voices, and the issues at the centre of women's concerns are not captured, then the final constitution is not representative.

To us 'consulting stakeholders' implies a number of things. Chief amongst them is access to information that allows for a lively and engaging participation by all. Secondly, a conducive and respectful environment where all ideas are valued and equal space is given for every voice in the country is essential. Thirdly, an open and transparent agenda which all stakeholders are aware of and can engage with is also critical. We believe the current National Stakeholders Conference falls far short of these basic tenets of effective participation by the people, and is increasingly being mired in confusion.

WCoZ therefore calls on the relevant authorities, in particular the Parliamentary Select Committee which has the mandate to drive this process, to effectively manage the consultative process towards the making of a new constitution in a mature, open, transparent and accountable manner. In particular, the rights of women must not be marginalised and this includes the right to equally participate in a meaningful way. It is the right of every woman in Zimbabwe to demand that the constitution reflect her needs, and equally it is her right to reject it if it does not. After all, the Global Political Agreement provides for a people driven constitutional process, and women being the majority of the people, are demanding their right to participate meaningfully.

We also urge the Parliamentary Select Committee to engage in conflict resolution and conflict management strategies during the consultation process. There is still political polarisation and unresolved issues of political violence that require a comprehensive national healing process. These tensions and conflicts will oftentimes bubble over during the constitutional consultations and there is need for the Parliamentary Select Committee and its organs to have proper conflict resolution and conflict skills. At the same time the Organ on National Healing should also be working earnestly to bring about truth, justice, restitution and reconciliation in Zimbabwe.

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