Lupane’s Path to Gender Justice: Breaking Barriers and Empowering Women
Laura Mgengwana the Bantalawunda Princess
The African society is heavily inclined towards patriarchal pedagogy, and for years, strides have been made to move to a more just society that affords equality. Achieving gender equality is not a walk in the park, it requires collective action from everyone.
Lupane District in Matabeleland North finds itself at a crossroads in the fight for gender justice. The legacy of patriarchy casts a long shadow, with cultural practices often relegating women to subordinate roles. From symbolic gestures like seating arrangements at ceremonies, funerals and meetings which see men sitting on chairs or elevated wooden logs and benches and women sitting on the ground as it is deemed taboo for men to sit on the level ground with women. To limitations on girls’ education and a dearth of women in leadership positions, the path to equality remains an uphill battle.
Most practices and beliefs still infringe on the rights of the girl child. One cannot ignore the devastating impact of child marriage on young girls, robbing them of their education and potential. Seeing 14 year olds being impregnated and forced to marriage is a common sight. The girl child is still considered as a weaker vessel who should be owned like property by someone masculine. Her freedom of speech limited to thank you and greetings. Also notably is the societal bias against female leaders, evident in the verbal abuse they face, further discouraging their participation.
Despite widespread calls for gender justice in schools, communities, and religious institutions, progress remains slow. Women continue to be marginalized in society, holding few leadership positions across politics, religious groups, clubs, and other spheres. Relegated to roles like secretary or treasurer, they are often stereotyped as “organizers” and “keepers” while their male counterparts hold positions of power and achieve milestones. Women in politics face derogatory terms like “sfebe/hure,” while men are celebrated. Similarly, female pastors struggle to find spouses, whereas male pastors are seen as desirable by unmarried woman who have been socialized to aspire to be “Mrs”. Dismantling these entrenched gender norms is a complex challenge. Women are both victims and, in some cases, unknowingly perpetuate these inequalities
Gender justice can be defined as ending the inequalities between women and men that are produced and reproduced in the family, the community, the market and the state. The principles of gender justice include equal rights, nondiscrimination, equal access to resources, equal representation and opportunities for all.
However, there is a glimmer of hope, the Zimbabwe’s government‘s introduction of the Proportional Representation for women in politics is a significant step forward. Extending the PR beyond the ten year tenure and introducing it at local authority level is also a great stride that demonstrates the government’s commitment to achieving gender justice. The struggle now remains with political parties need to understand the adage saying “charity begins at home”. Apart from the women’s wing, plenty times the chairmanship remains a male dominated territory in political parties in Lupane, the council chairmanship position has also been a reserve for males over the years. A paradigm shift is needed by political parties and politicians to practice what they teach from the grassroots. We must dismantle the societal structures that perpetuate the idea of women as “silent passengers” and instead, encourage their active participation in shaping the future. Women’s nurturing spirit and dedication to community building can be a powerful force for progress.
The fight for gender justice requires a multi-pronged approach. Women themselves need support to “decolonize” their minds and challenge the limiting beliefs that have held them back for generations. Economic empowerment programs can equip them with the resources and confidence to be self-sufficient and break free from dependence. Women tend to display more potential by nature as they are born nurtures. As the adage goes: Give a brick to a woman and in return, one will get a house. When women thrive, communities thrive. Gender justice unlocks a nation’s full potential. By empowering women, Lupane and Zimbabwe can create a more equitable and prosperous future for all.