With the current berating of Dr Thokozani Khupe by her opponents , distractors and those who disrespect women in echelons of power. Men in Zimbabwe do not take kindly women who venture into politics, especially those who lead from the front of political parties. Zimbabweans seem to be not comfortable with women who lead from the front on political space which shrinking for women , especially when these women challenge men still holding political power. Women in politics are easily labelled and called all sorts of names when they(women) challenge men in political positions .
“In Zimbabwe women who take political space are harassed, ridiculed, labelled and sometimes their private life is prone to get exposed by political rivals. The marital status will also come under public scrutiny, If she is a single woman, then all hell is set to break loose on her as she is labeled as a loose woman, who sleeps around. So Zimbabwe is not yet ready for a female President. Also women need to change the way they view other women who desire to take political space with a different mindset. As women we need to support women in politics by giving them morale support. Look at what happened to Dr Thokozani Khupe, she has been manhandled, spat at and labeled a ‘ prostitute’ for merely standing against a male candidate in an election. That alone speaks volumes of how women in politics are treated “, said a Media Consultant in Harare.
The Media Consultant further challenged women to support those taking political space. She said there is need to change the mindset of women, the way women are ‘wired’ as women who lead political parties are thought to be backed by powerful men behind the scenes who will be pulling strings for the female candidates.
” The mere idea that there is a powerful or influential man behind every woman in politics is quite a pain in the neck. People still believe that for a woman to be in an influential and powerful position there must be a very influential man behind or else the woman is sleeping around to be on a leading position. Derogatory names are thrown to any woman in politics who might have a different view from the ‘ majority or msle counterparts ‘. Maybe that is why most women do not take political space seriously because of the treatment they get’, She pointed out.
Other people interviewed by Chat Reporter Online /The Big Issue Publications said that Zimbabwe is still not ready for female President, but others had it differently.
” It is time we have a female president. Women should register to vote next election(2023),so that empowered by our numbers we can out vote male Presidential nominees and we then elevate a woman into power. As women it is time to change the political landscape in Zimbabwe and vote for a female President candidate without looking at her political affiliation . Women are known to be honest, caring, loving and God fearing and they can bring about new ways of politicking and governance into the male dominated political landscape. We are tired of playing second fiddle where our roles in politics are reduced to dancing, gyrating and ulilating for and to male candidates and leaders”fumed a female lawyer in Gweru, Midlands Province.
Women in politics might be facing daunting pressures ftom unknown quarters and sources that force women to fizzle out of politics. Some people questioned the consequences surrounding the sudden departure from politics of once fearless outspoken and firebrand politician in the mould of Margaret Dongo and her defunct political party. Former Vice President of Zimbabwe Dr Joyce Mujuru also decided to go underground.
“We don’t know what are the pressures women in politics are facing. Noone knows what really happened to Margaret Dongo. Women are facing phenomenal pressures and these women disappear into oblivion. Dr Joyce Mujuru is now very quiet. She is only seen on social media talking about loosing weight. With recent election in MDC T, Thokozani Khupe could be on her way out into political wilderness. Women are also facing challenges from family as some family members will be resisting their involvement into politics “, said Tendai Mbofana, a senior journalist and Human Rights activist in Redcliff, Zimbabwe.
Mbofana has also pointed out that the quarter system has contributed negatively to the women in politics as this system dissolved the little respect acquired to women in leadership positions in political parties.
” Look at Dr Joyce Mujuru and Thokozani Khupe. These women were appointed as Vice Presidents of ZANUPF and MDC T respectively at one time as a quarter system which stipulated that one of the Vice Presidents should be a woman. So these women can never gain respect within their parties and will never be ‘allowed ‘ to lead the party in the eventuality of a male leader or President leaving office. All hell broke loose when Morgen Tsvangirayi was bedridden, party cadres started questioning the capacity of Khupe to lead MDC T, the same with Dr Joyce Mujuru, as ageing former late President Robert Mugabe health tottered, many in the party thought Mujuru would succeed Mugabe, but alas… “, said Mbofana
