Women’s Rights in Reverse, Zimbabwe’s 2023 Elections Highlight Systemic Barriers

By Shingirai Vambe

As Zimbabwe joins the world in celebrating International Women’s Day, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) is highlighting the significant challenges women faced during the 2023 Harmonised Elections. Despite the country’s progressive laws, women’s representation in the National Assembly declined from 14.4% in 2018 to 11% in 2023.

This decline is a troubling setback in the pursuit of gender equality, and it underscores the systemic and structural barriers women continue to face in political participation. Women’s underrepresentation in decision-making bodies limits the diversity of ideas and solutions, weakening their voice in shaping policies that directly impact their lives.

The 2023 elections were marred by incidents of violence, intimidation, and discrimination against women. Elisabeth Valerio and Linda Masarira are among the victims who faced challenges in participating in the elections. In some cases, the courts were involved in undemocratic manner, further hindering women’s participation.

To address these challenges, ZESN is calling for urgent action to create more opportunities for women in political spaces. This includes implementing gender-sensitive policies, such as gender quotas and measures to combat Violence Against Women in Elections (VAWIE). Women must be able to run for office and participate in political discourse without facing violence, intimidation, or discrimination.

Beyond political representation, women’s economic empowerment is vital for ensuring gender equality. Access to economic opportunities, skills training, and entrepreneurship is essential in creating a fair and thriving economy. Education remains one of the most powerful tools for women’s empowerment, and it is vital to ensure that women are equipped with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions.

“The Network believes that beyond political representation, women’s economic
empowerment is vital for ensuring gender equality. Access to economic opportunities,
skills training, and entrepreneurship is essential in creating a fair and thriving economy.
Education remains one of the most powerful tools for women’s empowerment. Hence it
is vital to ensure that women are equipped with the knowledge and skills to make
informed decisions, not only about their careers, health, and lives, but also about their
rights and responsibilities as active citizens”.

ZESN highlights the importance of  ensuring that women and girls have access to quality education and vocational training.

“This is essential for their empowerment and also critical for fostering a society where women can exercise their civic duties fully, including voting, running for office, and advocating for issues that affect them and their communities. Informed women are more likely to engage in civic activities, which strengthens democracy and promotes gender equality in decision-making processes.,” noted ZESN

Chikanga Legislator, in Manicaland, Lynnette Karenyi Kore, told the Post that, as Zimbabwe celebrates International Women’s Day, all stakeholders must reaffirm their commitment to accelerating action for gender equality. “This requires ongoing multi-stakeholder action to break down the barriers women and girls face in all aspects of life. By supporting women in leadership roles, ensuring access to quality education, and creating policies that prioritize their safety, health, and well-being, stakeholders can help create a world where every woman and girl has the opportunity to achieve her full potential, free from violence, discrimination, and limitation.”