Musarurwa applauds women’s quota, it has empowered women to stand

Proportional Representation legislator Yvonne Musarurwa has applauded the women’s quota for helping women to stand in politics.

The women’s quota (Proportional Representation) in the National Assembly was introduced in 2013 when the country adopted a new constitution.

Under the quota, 60 women are given seats under a party list system based on the outcome of the Parliamentary elections.

The purpose of the quota is to give women the necessary capacity to be able to stand on their own against their male counterparts in open elections.

However, the effectiveness of the system has come under scrutiny on several occasions from members of the public as well as from fellow legislators.

However, Honourable Musarurwa is of the view that the quota has delivered and that she has gained a lot of confidence.

‘’Yes, for me, Proportional Representation is empowering women in the sense that we Proportional Representation legislators are treated equally with other MPs who have constituencies.

‘’And yes, women will be able to stand on because already as Proportional Representation legislators you work in more than one constituency.

‘’I for one am a Proportional Representation legislator, but I am seen initiating women and youth projects in different constituencies. So far I have been in Kuwadzana, Glenview and Budiriro because I am not limited,’’ she said.

Musarurwa who recently won the race to become the MDC-T national deputy chairperson said it was not correct that women under the women’s quota are quiet.

She said there are several Proportional Representation legislators who have been vocal in the National Assembly.

‘’It’s not correct to say Proportional Representation legislators do not speak, I believe we are very vocal.

‘’I am a Proportional Representation legislator and I speak, Honourable Tatenda Mavetera is Proportional Representation. ‘’Honourable Maphosa, Honourable Makone, Honourable Mbodiah and Honourable Chikukwa are all Proportional Representation legislators and If you open a Hansard you will definitely find them in there,’’ she said.

Musarurwa applauds women’s quota, it has empowered women to stand