Time for legislators to put Zimbabweans first, say...

Time for legislators to put Zimbabweans first, says women’s leadership academy

Michael Mashiri

The Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence has urged legislators to remember the reason why they have been elected into the august House and ensure that they come with a system of laws that will be to every Zimbabwean’s benefit.

In a statement on the official opening of the 10th Parliament of Zimbabwe in which they congratulated the Members of the National Assembly, WALPE said the legislators paid a crucial role in the country’s development.

“As the 10th Parliament resumes its official duties today with its first session, we would like to urge the legislators not to forget their elected mandate which is to represent their various constituencies and enact laws that see the progression of every Zimbabwean citizen.

“It is against this background that legislators be mindful of the different Bills that were in their various stages and ensure that they incorporate the needs and wants of their constituents,” they said.

WALPE said, it was imperative for legislators to consider every person’s perspective, despite their party affiliation.

They detested the habit of despising each other and sexual harassment as drawbacks in the August House.

“WALPE would like to encourage the lawmakers to respect each other’s views regardless of political party representation, gender or tribe.

“In previous sessions of Parliament, there has been a noted concern of hackling of women Members of Parliament with some going as far as name-calling in the August House. Issues of sexual harassment of women parliamentarians needs to also be addressed with the urgency and severity that they deserve, as it is a scourge that has hindered many women, young women and women with disabilities from taking up leadership positions,” they said.

They added that there was need for commitment and dedication on the part of legislators as they are supposed to be accountable to the people they represent.

“The chief whips of the two political parties represented in Parliament need to also ensure that legislators from their respective political parties attend to their Parliamentary duties which include but are not confined to question and answer sessions and committee meetings- so as to give informed briefings to their constituencies and participate from knowledgeable positions in Parliament debates,” they added.

WALPE, is an organisation that identifies, grooms and nurtures women aspiring to run for public office.

It achieve this through long term intense leadership capacity building trainings, intergenerational mentorship and coaching exercises.