Evaluation of the Southern and Eastern Africa Regional Centre for ...
Evaluation of the Southern and Eastern Africa Regional Centre for ...
Evaluation of the Southern and Eastern Africa Regional Centre for ...
- No tags were found...
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
30A critical space <strong>for</strong> influencing policy making obviously concerns <strong>the</strong> constitutional<strong>and</strong> law making processes which determine legislation influencing women’s issues.These spaces <strong>for</strong> graduate influence appearespecially significant in Zimbabwe <strong>and</strong> alsoKenya. The example in <strong>the</strong> box is from <strong>the</strong>deputy minister <strong>for</strong> Women in Zimbabwe.She indicated several areas <strong>of</strong> influencespecifically related to her training in women’slaw. The course had given her new insight. Ifshe had stayed in private practice law without<strong>the</strong> Masters, this perspective would not havebeen added, she claimed. As a member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>Select Committee in Parliament she claimedpersonally to have been central in drawing up30 essential issues which were considered‘musts’ <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> new constitution <strong>and</strong> in whichimpact is identified. Amongst <strong>the</strong> mostsalient <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se (similar to Kenya) is <strong>the</strong>clause concerning 50% female representationin elected entities (clause 2.9, ‘Genderbalance’). Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, proportionalrepresentation, whereby 60 women will beadded, but which is currently beingcontested; Senate will also have Proportional system; <strong>and</strong> additional features, such asan equality clause, equal citizenship, <strong>the</strong> right to security <strong>of</strong> person; <strong>and</strong> especially,noteworthy in light <strong>of</strong> previous obstacles to legal protection – customary law willnow not be subordinate to human rights. In addition, fur<strong>the</strong>r clauses makeprovisions <strong>for</strong> social economic <strong>and</strong> cultural rights, amongst o<strong>the</strong>rs.These findings have been streng<strong>the</strong>ned by key in<strong>for</strong>mants. One includes <strong>the</strong> umbrellawomen’s organisation, <strong>the</strong> Zimbabwean Women’s Coalition, which though clearlyregarding <strong>the</strong>se outcomes as collective endeavours identified <strong>the</strong>m also as vigorouslypursued by <strong>the</strong> graduate(s) in question. Ano<strong>the</strong>r key in<strong>for</strong>mant in <strong>the</strong> LawCommission suggested that <strong>the</strong> high calibre <strong>of</strong> graduates, including at least half adozen in his own department, <strong>the</strong> Ministry <strong>of</strong> Justice, had made an importantcontribution across <strong>the</strong>ir respective sectors. He cited in particular <strong>the</strong> DomesticViolence Act 2006 (<strong>and</strong> in which <strong>the</strong> Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association,ZWLA, <strong>and</strong> several o<strong>the</strong>r graduates were heavily involved). Ano<strong>the</strong>r good example<strong>of</strong> synergies between graduates involved <strong>the</strong> SADC Gender Protocol. ZLWAprovided technical advice, but <strong>the</strong>n in terms political processes, <strong>the</strong> deputy ministerwrote to her <strong>the</strong>n Ministry <strong>of</strong> Women suggesting she move a motion <strong>and</strong> whichpaved <strong>the</strong> way <strong>for</strong> signing <strong>the</strong> Protocol by <strong>the</strong> Government <strong>of</strong> Zimbabwe.In Kenya, <strong>the</strong>re are also signs <strong>of</strong> impact in<strong>the</strong> political <strong>and</strong> legal l<strong>and</strong>scape based onfindings from interviews <strong>and</strong> survey. Thereis also contestation over a genderequilibrium clause (Article 81 (b)) wherebyno more than two-thirds representatives <strong>of</strong>“The course sharpened my focus <strong>and</strong> whythings are <strong>the</strong> way <strong>the</strong>y are. I utiliseknowledge in my political life. One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>reasons to get elected is that so many gapsexist in <strong>the</strong> law <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> legislature to fixthings. Male lawyers are influential inParliament across party lines. Maleparliamentarians make a lot <strong>of</strong> noise <strong>and</strong>especially lawyers hold sway inParliamentary politics. There were n<strong>of</strong>emale lawyers in Parliament. I was <strong>the</strong>first to be elected. I am encouraging moreto join. Men can be converted. I havemore patience with <strong>the</strong> counter argumentsmen have. I underst<strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>m better,whereas be<strong>for</strong>e I had no time <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong>se,<strong>and</strong> now can get <strong>the</strong>m on side. It is veryimportant to work with <strong>the</strong>m.” JessieMajome, graduate, Deputy Minister <strong>for</strong>Women, <strong>and</strong> member, ParliamentarySelect Committee on <strong>the</strong> Constitution(COPAC), Zimbabwe.‘The two-thirds rule’ in Kenya (a genderequilibrium clause/ Article 81 (b)):“We want it immediately implemented.On Tuesday we met to discuss oursubmission to Attorney General regarding<strong>the</strong> Supreme court deciding on <strong>the</strong> ‘2thirds rule’ in <strong>the</strong> constitution”. RuthAura (FIDA).