Working in a highly polarised environment, WIPSU stands out for its role as a neutral space for women leaders to work together, not only for their personal growth but for the development of others.
WIPSU fosters not only unity of purpose among female politicians but facilitates synergies between other women’s organisations and female politicians.
“Through our structures, we have managed to provide platforms for interaction between women politicians, other organisations and the grassroots people,” said WIPSU Director, Fany Chirisa.
Enjoying our rights
She highlighted that the organisation’s mission was to ensure the establishment of a society where women exercised and enjoyed their human rights.
Since its establishment, WIPSU has been working with women who are already in leadership positions, potential women leaders, women in all political parties, constituency and ward consultative forum members and all the women in constituencies and wards represented by women members of parliament and councilors.
Chirisa pointed out that her organisation existed to strengthen the democracy and governance practices in Zimbabwe.
“From the research and analysis that the organisation did for the 2008 election period, it was clear that women are more than willing to take up leadership posts. The major challenge that women face is the issue of resources and the unequal playing field when they are contesting for political posts. Our organisation promotes networking, solidarity and partnerships as motivation to ensure that more women come forward for political posts,” said Chirisa.
Patricia Muwandi, the WIPSU Programmes Officer, added that through information campaigns, advocacy and dialogue programmes, the organisation had managed to reach out to a lot of women.
“Women within constituencies need space and platforms where they can interact with their leaders. However, issues of visibility for aspiring female politicians remain a challenge,” she said.
A women’s movement
She highlighted the importance of “encouraging the establishment of a women’s movement in order to enhance development in all spheres”.
“WIPSU discovered that constituencies led by female politicians are better developed than those headed by their male counterparts. It is the organisation’s intention to ensure that women achieve the 50/ 50 representation as spelt out in the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development.”
WIPSU has been instrumental in advocating for the adoption of the new draft constitution that was endorsed by the majority of Zimbabweans in March 2013.
Post published in: News