#ZimbabweDecides2023: How the youth and women are changing the election landscape

Source: AFP

As Zimbabwe prepares for its upcoming election, the participation of women and youth is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the nation's democratic landscape. The election will be held on the 23rd of August, 2023 for President and members of both houses of parliament. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of diverse voices in the political process, and efforts are being made to amplify the contributions of women and young people. This article highlights the significance of women and youth participation in the upcoming Zimbabwean elections.

The Dynamics of Politics in Zimbabwe

The Zimbabwe African National Union–Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) that was led by Robert Mugabe has dominated Zimbabwean politics since independence in 1980. Emmerson Mnangagwa became president in November 2017 after the military took charge and ousted Robert Mugabe after 37 years in office. Mr. Mnangagwa had previously served as first vice-president from 2014 until his dismissal on 6 November 2017. Two weeks later, the ruling Zanu-PF party sacked Mr. Mugabe as leader and appointed Mr. Mnangagwa as party president. Shortly after serving out Mugabe’s term in office, he was narrowly re-elected as president in a July 2018 election. An outcome which was questioned by his closest opponent, MDC Alliance candidate Nelson Chamisa.

 

Women’s Political Participation

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has approved 11 candidates for this year’s presidential elections. This is sharply down from the 23 who contested the last election, in 2018, no doubt because each candidate now has to pay $20,000 (£16,000), up from $1,000 (£800). But the contest is likely to be between two men: Incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa, from the governing Zanu-PF party and opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, from the Citizen's Coalition for Change (CCC). Elizabeth Valerio of the United Zimbabwe Alliance is the only female among the candidates. Strangely, she had been disqualified but successfully challenged the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission's decision to reject her nomination.

It is worthy to note that, Zimbabwe, a deeply conservative country, has always recorded a lower percentage of women participating as candidates in elections since independence in 1980 compared with men, despite constituting more than half of the electorate and of the total 15 million people in the country. Interestingly, the country in 2013 passed and adopted a pro-gender equality constitution that stipulated the reservation of 60 seats from the current 270 in parliament for women. The law stipulates that the seats be distributed among parties by proportional representation.

Despite the progressive laws that have been enacted, women are still not adequately represented in parliament or local authorities. Following the 2018 general election, only 48 per cent of Senators were women and only 31 per cent of Members of the National Assembly were women. In the March 26 parliamentary by-elections, only 16 female candidates participated out of 118 candidates vying for 28 seats in the National Assembly. The local government polls saw 76 female candidates contest against 291 males for 118 seats. Only five female candidates won parliamentary seats while 18 made it to their respective councils as opposed to 103 men.

Zimbabwe has done a great deal to enact laws encouraging women’s participation in politics.  Good laws are however not the gamechanger. There is a need for reforms that tackle the deeply ingrained cultural and structural barriers that hinder women's full political engagement As Zimbabwe moves forward, it must aspire to create an environment where women can thrive as leaders and contribute to shaping the nation's future.

 

Youth Participation

Young people in Zimbabwe constitute 67.7% of the total population; their effective participation in electoral and governance processes remains a cornerstone to achieve sustainable inclusivity and enhanced civic engagement in politics.  The youth in Zimbabwe are embracing their role as catalysts for change in the upcoming election. A recent Afrobarometer pre-election survey results has revealed a promising trend in Zimbabwe's political landscape, particularly among the youth demographic. A substantial portion of Zimbabwe's young population has taken an active interest in the upcoming elections, with 65% of individuals aged 18-25 and 86% of those aged 26-35 registering to vote, showcasing their commitment to shaping the destiny of their nation.

 

A significant stride towards a more inclusive and representative democracy in Zimbabwe is the establishment of a youth quota for the upcoming election. This progressive move, as outlined in the constitution has resulted in the creation of 10 parliamentary seats reserved exclusively for youth aged between 21 and 35. This should be accepted by young people as a victory for the youth mainstreaming agenda. This provision serves as a pivotal entry point for young individuals, ensuring their active participation in the 10th Parliament and making the long-standing call for youth participation tangible reality.

As the country builds up to the elections on August 23rd there is an opportunity for young people to break barriers by voting for young candidates whom they can hold accountable.