CONSTITUTIONAL PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN IN THE PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE: VIEWS FROM ACTIVE POLITICIANS IN MASVINGO

This study sought to determine the effectiveness of proportional representation of women in the parliament of Zimbabwe. Literature indicates that promotion of participation of women in politics is not new. What seems to be new is evaluation of their active participation. It is against this background that this study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of proportional representation of women in the parliament of Zimbabwe using active politicians in the two main political parties (the Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front [ZANU PF] and the Movement of Democratic Change [MDC]). The researchers used a qualitative research design largely based on focus group discussions. The ten study participants were conveniently sampled from active political office holders from ZANU PF and MDC studying for the Bachelor of Science (Honours) Degree in Development Studies at the Zimbabwe Open University Masvingo Regional Campus. The study concludes that political parties are paying lip services to the issue of proportional representation of women in parliament. Most people in Zimbabwe have not yet changed their mindsets with regards to female leadership. The study thus, recommends complete overhaul of the present mindset. The study calls for grassroots advocacy and educational processes that make them share the new mindset. It further calls for leadership honesty and commitment to the implementation of new policies and legislation.