where are female politicians?

It is surprising and disappointing to note that most female politicians become failers in political arena while most of our societies are dominated by female people. One may begin to wonder that why is it that females are not supporting each other. In most cases women who try to take their political carrier serious are let down by losing during elections. This shows that other women wouldn't be giving them enough support.For example in Botswana, in the 2009 general elections, the country’s two largest political parties, the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) and the opposition Botswana National Front (BNF), each fielded just three female candidates even though there are 57 constituencies. The third largest party, the Botswana Congress Party (BCP), was slightly more progressive, putting up four female candidates. The sad thing is that only two of them won while more women participated in voting than men. During these elections 403,000 women registered to vote compared to 320,000 men.

What is the most sad thing is that women are the ones who seem to be active during campaigns than men, while they tend to lose at the end of the day. For example in Zimbabwe women are the one who are found dancing and singing during the elections campaign, however most female politicians lose.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

why do female peach into politics and disappear?

Female politicians come with power into politics and then disappear along the way. Is it because political issues are meant for men who are considered to be brave in the African society? In most cases when we are still looking foward for women who have just entered into politics they just go silent. One may wonder whether does this mean that female politicians are weak or what? For example these the Zimbabwean first lady Grace Mugabe who just entered into political field some time last year has just went quiet. When she came into politics she changed many things in ZANU-PF party and exposed corrupt members. Her deeds were promising, people thought we now have a powerful female politician but where is Grace Mugabe now?

Enough of cheer-leading

Women's impact in political field should be felt. They should lead on their own and make crucial decisions without men's help. In most instances women are found as vice-presidents. That is why women like Remi Senaiya, from Nigeria are crying out loud for the end of cheerleading. She wants women to get hold of higher positions in Africa. She said:

" We have done enough of cheerleading,"

"Women cannot keep on being cheerleaders in this country."

Remi Sonaiya.photo by yahoonews

She told some of Nigeria's most influential businesswomen and company executives at the meeting on women's participation in politics.

Also women like Grace Mugabe can be considered as women who are advocating for the stop of cheer leading. This is shown by the way she came into politics. She came in with power, without fear and favour.

Is it because they are FEMALE politicians?

Female politicians are easily threatened in the political field and they seem to be victims. I don't know why people find it so easy to threaten female politicians, maybe it's because women are regarded as weak in societies we live in? For instance  Tsepiso Mpofu who is MDC-T's Bulawayo provincial organising secretary has experienced threats, where people came to her house, stoned it to force her to step down as infighting in the party turns nasty.

"They left strange things wrapped with a party head scarf and a message that they would bewitch me if I do not step down," Mpofu said in an interview.

Women are in danger when it comes to political issues. This is why these people who threatened Mpofu had the guts to do such things, they know that some women are weak. Most of the times when people want male politicians to step down they don't do what they did to this lady. For example, MDC-T supporters wanted Morgan to step down but they never stoned his house.

Do Violence exist in FEMALE politicians??

Most female politicians are known to pursue their political carrier with peace. They are known as peace builders, even in areas where there is war women act as peace builders. For instance in Kenya after the 2009 electoral violence women's groups used mobile technology to develop early warning system.


However it is surprising that the society is expecting female politicians to bring about peace in communities and nations but some women are fueling violence. For example a Côte d’Ivoire woman was arrested after she has been found guilty of part taking in the violence which took place during post-election violence in 2010-2011 that left nearly 3 000 dead. The former first lady Simone Gbagbo is said to have “undermined state security”. She has been jailed for 20 years.         

simone Gbagbo wife of Cote d'Ivoire former president(Luc Gnago, Reuters)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing in women’s leadership is peacebuilding’s best value for money. In the aftermath of conflict, billions of dollars are spent on projects that often predominantly benefit men. By contrast, grass-roots women leaders often work with very few resources – this must change,” said Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, UN Women Executive Director, - See more at: http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2014/9/peacebuilding-commission-event#sthash.eQ2T2CxU.dpuf

Muujuru's silence: BRAVERY or PEACE?

women seem to be respectful in their political carrier. They give so much respect to their political party leaders.  This may be viewed as failer and weakness because their quietness can be believed to be lack of bravery and lack of confidence. A good politician should stand her grounds and defend herself in whatever circumstances that come along. Also one may conclude that the public can not guess what the quietness means hence they will conclude according to their own way of thinking. For example amai Mujuru told Southerneye that she has been quiet out of respect, she respected her leader which is why she just kept quiet when the first lady was criticising her. She said :

"I fought for the liberation of this country and hold the ideals of the liberation struggle and Zanu PF close to my heart. I have not betrayed my party nor its leadership.”
“My focus is on national building and avoiding unnecessary destruction of the party I belong to, Zanu PF, by omafikizolo who are motivated by self-interest and do not put the people first,”

However one may say female politicians are good as they promote peace and order in the political sector. The fact that Mujuru went silent created order, if she fought back ZANU-PF would have experience disorder which is not good for the nation. She said:

“My focus is on national building and avoiding unnecessary destruction of the party I belong to, Zanu PF, by omafikizolo who are motivated by self-interest and do not put the people first,”

Joice Mujuru

Thus women's silence when it comes to political wars can be bad as well as good. The silence brings with it self positive and negative aspects. It may mean lack of bravery and also brings peace, order and respect.

Thumbs up for Dr Amai Grace Mugabe

Zimbabwe male politicians are now sweating because of the presence and interference of Women in politics. In the past women were believed to be meant for house chores. Politics was mainly men's field but nowadays we meet women like Grace Mugabe who are challenging men in the political field. According to Southerneye Didymus Mutasa is complaining that Grace's  ascendancy in the party (ZANU-PF) was a source of conflict and division. This therefore reveals that women are now becoming a challenge to men in political activities. The fact that Mutasa admitted that Grace brought about change in the party shows that women now have power when it comes to politics

Also, according to Zimbabwe Independent news paper Grace Mugabe seem to be becoming a leader in ZANU-PF. She is now in control of everything, hence I can conclude that this reveals women's power in the political field. Zaba says:

"The appointment of Shuvai Mahofa as minister of provincial affairs for Masvingo this week further shows Grace is increasingly calling the shots."

This further solidify that women are coming with fire in the political field. They  now have all the influence unlike in the past where women waited for men to come up with suggestions and decisions. Most newspapers declare that Grace Mugabe  has been the major cause of destruction in ZANU-PF, hence one may conclude that the fact that the media is diverting attention to her shows that she is a threat.

Where Zimbabwean female politicians?

Zimbabwean women’s participation in politics remains low.The year which has been target to reach 50% representation of women in the political arena has finally came and Zimbabwe is not even near in terms of accomplishing the MDGs. There are several bottlenecks hindering efforts to ensure that men and women share 50% representation in the political arena by 2015 in line with the Sadc Protocol on Gender and Development.
Nyamupinga, who is the Zimbabwe Women’s Parliamentary Caucus chairperson, bemoans how the drive to reach a 50:50 gender ratio in Parliament is increasingly failing as the number of women in the august house is on the decline. 
Nyamupinga told News day that:
"If we are not financially empowered, we will not make it. Our politics have been commercialised. A well-resourced person needs just one night of campaigning and they will make it."

Most of Zimbabwean women seem to be failing to pursue political career. According to Zimbabwe Independent Newspaper in the year 2013 women in politics were only 11,5%. The president said that there were not enough women which why we are still failing to reach 50% of women participation in politics.