MARTIN MAWAYA
LOWER GWERU-Although our society is male dominated; women in ward 9 Makapesi, Lower Gweru area have shown that at grassroots level they have the capacity to organize, lead and make life changing decisions.
In ward 9 women have risen to leadership positions, with the village traditional leadership under females, where 10 out of 19 village heads are women.
Since 2008 up to date, the ward in the Vungu Constituency has been led by a female councilor.
Over the decades, the positions of traditional leadership used to be a preserve for male and it was viewed as taboo for women to be a Chief or a Kraalhead, however section 17 of the Constitution changed the narrative in an effort to promote gender balance in leadership at all levels.
Speaking at the peace and security engagement meeting with the local traditional leadership at Makepesi Business Center in Lower Gweru today, Women Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) Gweru Chapter chairperson Nozipho Rutsate commended the community for being progressive and adopting the principles of gender parity by supporting women in taking up leadership positions of influence.
She said the community has demonstrated a developmental and constructive approach by promoting women to occupy high offices of decision making, in a highly patriarchal society.
“We are very excited and appreciate how the Lower Gweru community has actually adopted the principles of gender equality in its fullness. We have seen and have experienced true female leadership and representation in lower Gweru. There is something that is unique with this community. It is a very commendable radical approach in terms of promoting gender equality.
“The women are dominating in leadership positions, there are a lot of female traditional leaders. They are not only part of the village committees but also looking beyond accessing land and irrigation schemes as we are envisioned towards gender equity,” she said.
She said the approach by the Makepesi community should be part of the country’s culture to change the systems and dynamics when it comes to leadership.
Rutsate applauded the rural community’s efforts saying it will “increase female representation in various levels and sectors”.
She added that WCoZ will continue advocating for more female representation in various spaces and urged the Makepesi community to work in harmony as they lead as a good example to the whole country.
However, the village heads lamented young people for disobeying progressive cultural practices and rush to get into unplanned marriages that result in the escalation of gender based violence and murder cases.
They said such marriages end in violence because it lack basic foundation of a strong union.
Village head, Coldwell Mantiya also chronicled how women village heads are working towards transforming the lives of the community by engaging and leading in projects such as the nutritious gardens and irrigation schemes as well as encouraging other women to pursue their education.
