Mutasa North legislator Chido Madiwa has called on Parliament to ensure that International Women’s Day which is celebrated on the 8th of March is made a public holiday.
The day is already a public holiday in several countries, especially in SADC Region.
Honourable Madiwa believes that Zimbabwe has already made inroads on gender issues and declaring the day a holiday will act as a big statement to the country’s commitment.
Speaking on a motion on the commemoration of International Women’s Day in the National Assembly, Honourable Madiwa said holidays mirror national values.
‘’We have the Heroes Day where we will be commemorating the commitment made by Zimbabweans to gain independence and do away with the British colonialism. The same applies to Unity Day that unites all Zimbabweans, we will be seated at home resting, thinking, and enjoying that unity as Zimbabweans.
‘’We have 8th March as International Women’s Day, but that day is not a holiday in Zimbabwe. If we look at the commitment that Zimbabwe has towards the empowerment of women and gender equality, and the fact that we do not have a holiday for women on the 8th of March, it is worrisome.
‘’If we again look at other countries in the region such as Angola and Zambia, 8th March is a public holiday. In South Africa, 9th August is a Women’s Day, Mozambique it is on 7th March, Namibia 10th December, Malawi 15th October, Madagascar and Seychelles, 15 August the Assumption Day.
‘’Mr Speaker Sir, this day has been declared a public holiday by other countries in the region. I think in Africa, Zimbabwe is on top of the list in terms of efforts to achieve gender parity by way of honouring women and good policies for women. The commitment is evidenced by the ratification, and signing of protocols at the regional level, for example, the Gender Protocol.
‘’We are doing very well if you look at the SADC Gender barometer. At the continental level, we very much comply with the Maputo Protocol and at the international level, we have the famous Beijing Platform for Action. We also have CEDAW and the Universal Declarations of Human Rights.
‘’All these Mr Speaker Sir, Zimbabwe is showing its commitment to the empowerment of women. I think it is very important for us to set aside a public holiday in remembering the important role that women play in the development of this country.
‘’We are talking about all these commitments. We have institutional mechanisms that have been put in place to make sure that women are honoured. We have a Ministry responsible for women, we also have the Gender Commission and our Constitution, the supreme law speaks on trying to make sure that issues of gender equality are taken seriously.
‘’That alone means we want a day when people throughout the country can sit down and say we are honouring women. This is a day that we are showing the importance of women. We want people to be sitting at home, close shops, preparing best dishes, having good meals just in honour of women,’’ she said.
