TOO FEW WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT

Times of Swaziland

8 October 2008

Disappointment as only two women appointed

By ARTHUR MORDAUNT

LOBAMBA – Yet again, acts of those in authority have been put on the spotlight regarding the implementation of the country’s constitution.

The latest involves the appointment of Members of Parliament to the House of Assembly by the king.

Constitutionally, His Majesty is supposed to appoint 10 MPs into the House to complement the 55 that are elected in the country’s constituencies.

Section 95 of the constitution states that the king, acting in his own discretion, after consulting with any bodies he may deem fit he will appoint not more than 10 members into the House.

Section 95 (2) (a) and (b) specifically states: "The nominated members of the House shall be appointed by the king so that at least half of them are female so as to represent interests, including marginalised groups, not already adequately represented in the House."

However, only two women were named in the list of the 10 appointees announced by Chairman of the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) Chief Gija yesterday. These were Thulile Dladla and Princess Ncengencenge.

Interviewed, Chief Gija said theirs was only to announce the names as supplied by the appointing authority. Asked if there was any explanation given to them regarding the perceived anomaly, he said there was none.

"Presumably, we shall get an explanation in due course should there be any that is forthcoming," said the chairman.

The Co-ordinating Assembly of Non Governmental Organisations (CANGO) expressed its disappointment at the list.

CANGO Information Officer Bongiwe Zwane said they were expecting more since women did not fare well during the electoral process.

"We are hopeful though that there will be more women in Senate," said an optimistic Zwane.

CANGO was one of the organisations pushing the ‘Vote for a woman campaign.’

Constitutionally, the king is expected to appoint 20 Senators, eight of whom are supposed to be female. About 10 more will be nominated by members of the House of Assembly. Half of these should be female.

Link http://www.times.co.sz/index.php?news=2045

ROW OVER 'CHAOTIC' ELECTIONS

Swazi Observer

29 August 2008

CANGO angers EBC

The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) has taken strong exception to accusations by CANGO that it is running chaotic elections.

CANGO said it was disappointed with the way the EBC was running the show, basing its conclusions on media reports.

It even questioned the credibility of the electoral process itself, in view of the alleged anomalies.

But deputy EBC chief, Mzwandile Fakudze said he felt bound to tell CANGO exactly where to get off - particularly because it was unfair on the EBC to be judged by media reports which are interpretative in nature.

Fakudze said CANGO's sponsors expect the organisation to take its rightful role as a stakeholder in the electoral process.

He said CANGO by its nature should not be whining but should be carrying out civic education on the populace, on elections.

"CANGO is our collaborating partner, it has a duty to teach the public about the various aspects of the elections, in terms of Section 90 (7) b of the constitution, which talks if civic and voter education.

"CANGO should not attach the credibility of the elections to newspaper reports - in fact, they should not even question the credibility of the process.

"The elections were free and fair because no one was compelled to vote - people did so on their own free will.

There was also no preferential treatment. When the ballot papers got finished in some polling stations, the process was carried forward to the next day until everyone got the opportunity to vote.

"If you claim people stood for long hours on lines, waiting to vote - how does that affect the credibility of the election process?

"As the EBC on this election, we did meet the standards of fairness, freeness and transparency - which all in all make up for credibility."

Link http://www.observer.org.sz/main.php?id=46551&section=main

SWAZI MEN 'TRY TO BUY VOTES'

Weekend Observer

9 August 2008

To buy or not to buy votes - women ask

Whether to buy votes or not is a major debate among women nominated to stand for national elections.

Yesterday, women expressed worry that men in their various constituencies were already distributing foodstuffs and gifts ahead of the campaign period.

Speaking at the Tums George Hotel during a CANGO sensitisation programme under the ‘vote for a woman’ campaign, a number of women harped on the notion of honesty but were rather doubtful whether that would work in the face of rampant violations of the electoral law back in their constituencies.

A woman from Zombodze Emuva, who introduced herself as Myeni, said it was unfortunate that while she was at the workshop some of her competitors were distributing truckload of food stuffs to voters.

“But I’m here and do not have anything to offer to voters. How then am I going to be voted for? How can CANGO assist me?”

She further requested CANGO to decentralise the sensitisation exercise by going to the various constituencies to educate voters about the importance of the rules of the election process.

They were, however, told that it was the duty of the Elections and Boundary Commission (EBC) to provide the answers. However, there was no EBC official despite an invitation to the event that was attended by women from the four regions of the country. There were about 200 women in attendance.

Bongiwe Zwane of CANGO said she had budgeted for about 70 participants but was overwhelmed and pleased by the attendance that later developed into a hot debate.

The women were divided on whether to join the ‘cash for a vote’ spree allegedly taking place in a number of the constituencies already.

Others felt there has to be some from of enticement or else those splashing money would win their way to parliament. This was against a background of long teachings by former Prime Minister Obed Dlamini and former Cabinet Minister Stella Lukhele who tried to instill virtues of honesty and fair-play.

There were other examples of crowd pullers who buy loads of alcohol for mainly the youth to get them to vote in their favour. A young woman said there were elder women in her constituency who were driving around with young boys buying them liquor and offering them money much to the detriment of other women.

She said it was a pity that the women were looking for support from men by giving them money instead of joining hands with other women in order to realise the ideal of the campaign and the wishes of all women.

Mumcy Dlamini of Kwaluseni said she would never bow down to sacrifice whatsoever she has in order to please men so she could be voted for.

She complained that other male voters on nomination day tried to discourage her that she was single and, therefore, could not ably represent institutions of the family and the entire community. She said it did not take marriage to acquire leadership skills and the capacity to deliver what is required of each candidate. There was then a barrage of condemnation of certain men who tried to discourage women by reminding them they are inferior and subjected to male authority.

Queen Shongwe, the celebrated blabbermouth who frequently calls the radio station offering free opinions in just about every subject, almost earned herself the wrath of the organisers as she time and again engaged other women from the back in rowdy discussions, thus disturbing the workshop.

However, she made her point when she requested the women to approach the national radio station SBIS to lift the ban on all nominees who want to air their views.

She told the other women that other candidates were given unfair advantage in that they were allowed airtime yet they also contest in the election.

She made an explicit example of Minister of Public Service and Information Elijah Shongwe who was on air on Thursday morning announcing that he would be touring bridges at a certain constituency.

She won the sympathy of other women and CANGO was tasked with negotiating with the national broadcaster with a view to allow all citizens equal access under democratic rules.

There are other organisations tasked with civic education currently going on around the country to assist with answers to questions left unanswered by the EBC, which never ran a comprehensive civic education exercise before running to the nomination stage.

This was after a number of women expressed concern that they were blank about the processes involved this time around yet they wanted to take up the leadership roles envisaged for them by the voters.

Link http://www.observer.org.sz/weekend/main.php?id=46016&section=mainweek

SWAZI CIVIL SERVANT POLL CONFUSION

Weekend Observer

9 August 2008

Women nominees divided over civil servants' participation in elections

Stories by Ackel Zwane

There is confusion on the status of civil servants regarding their participation in the upcoming national elections.

Meeting yesterday at the Tum’s George Hotel, the women said the confusion on whether civil servants should participate or not was a stumbling block on what is to be done next now that the nomination stage is over. The senstisation meeting was organised by the Coordinating Assembly of Non-governmental Organisations (CANGO) under the ‘vote for a woman’ campaign.

Portia Simelane, a civil servant from Tikhuba North, was first to declare that she was a civil servant who was nominated yet she did not have the permission from her employer granting her leave of absence for the five year period she would be away if elected for the parliamentary seat. She made her declarations after strong condemnation from other women that the civil servants were disturbing the process because the law barred them from participation if they did not have the permission. She said she went to her polling station as other registered voters but did not know that she would be nominated. She said she accepted the nomination voluntarily mainly because the constitution also allows that she may be nominated without the permission condition. But Stella Lukhele, a former MP and former cabinet minister, clarified that in terms of the law the permission must be presented at nomination.

“The problem is when were we to get permission, before the nomination or after given that the process started at very short notice. The employer forces the employee to take the five years at once and disappears for the five years,” said Simelane.

Mamane Sukati from Mphembekati said it was important to begin now to resolve the impasse ahead of the next election in 2013, a suggestion met with reservations.

“Let's get the permission now for the 2013 election. It is unfortunate that my sister here (Simelane) was caught off guard.”

On the other hand, Duduzile Dube of Luhlangotsini came in defence of civil servants and said they were discriminated against. She said it was important that elections should be free and fair.

“If civil servants are to take a five year leave of absence and lose the election this would definitely lead to poverty and suffering for the civil servant and his/her family,”

Lukhele suggested that CANGO should rush to the Elctions and Boundary Commission to appeal that all the candidates who have been nominated be given the permission. This suggestion was met with unwavering opposition because other women felt that would allow civil servants unfair advantage over those who were nominated on a clean slate. This was also because that would open floodgates to those who did not go for the nominations because they feared they did not have the permission from their employer.

“That would cause confusion in the entire country.

"Let us go to parliament and attend to the problem once inside,” said a participant.

Iris Mamba from Ngculwini got hot under the collar and cited the case of a Regional Education Officer who was allowed into the nomination even though he did not have the letter granting him leave of absence. This was after the presiding officer requested the letter. The residing officer called the EBC and was allegedly instructed to go ahead and register the REO much to the chagrin of other nominees.

CANGO registered the concerns and was to submit them to EBC with immediate effect.

Link http://www.observer.org.sz/weekend/main.php?id=46015&section=mainweek

POSITION OF WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP

Weekend Observer

2 August 2008

The position of women in leadership

By Alec Lushaba

Government, through the Ministry of Home Affairs, Gender Unit, together with civil society organisations are on a campaign to increase the numbers of women in Parliament and other lower administrative political decision-making bodies like Indvuna Yenkhundla or Bucopho.

The ‘Vote for a Women Campaign’ launched early this year takes its cue from the Constitution which calls for 30 percent women representation in Parliament and other international conventions the country is party to.

Yesterday morning, the Co-ordinating Assembly of Non-Governmental Organisation (CANGO), as part of the campaign, launched its snap survey, which was conducted by Women and the Law in Southern Africa (WILSA) on women representation in power, influence and decision-making level.

Even though the report did not go as afar as revealing in quantitative terms, the representation of women in positions of power, it managed to provide profiles of women in public and private bodies between 1997 and 2007.

The sectors were as follows: women in politics, women in public service sector, women in the judiciary, women in profession (lawyers, doctors, economists, educationists and dentists), women in private sector, women in NGO.

Of significance importance, particularly in line with the spirit of the Vote for Women Campaign, the survey indicates steady increase or involvement of women in the Executive arm of government between 1993 and 2008.

For instance, in 1993 Dr. Fannie Friedman, the then health minister, was the only female voice in the entire cabinet.

The situation improved in the 1998-2003 cabinet as two female ministers were appointed into cabinet, being then Housing and Urban Development minister Stella Lukhele and Health and Social Welfare minister Dr. Phetsile Dlamini.

In the 2003-2008 cabinet, saw at least four women cabinet ministers appointed, the first being the incumbent Deputy Prime Minister Constance Simelane, Tourism, Environment and Communication minister Thandi Shongwe, Natural Resources and Energy minister Dumsile Sukati and Regional Development and Youth Affairs’ deputy minister Hlob’sile Ndlovu.

There has been a similar trend even within the Legislative arm in the same period.

In the 1993-1998 Parliament, women legislators were only eight, whilst in the 1998-2003 there was a slight movement, as they increased from eight to nine.

Women’s influence has shown in the 2003-2008, from a mere nine the previous Parliament to 19.

They did not only make the numbers but the Senate President is Gelani Zwane, whilst Trusty Gina held the deputy Speaker position.

In recent times, women have not been holding their own in politics, but both in the public and private sectors their involvement has been enormous.

The Anti-Corruption Commission is sitting with two deputy commissioners, whilst the Civil Service Commission, which comprise five members has three woman commissioners.

At Principal Secretary level, there are four women and a number occupying the Under Secretary positions.

Perceptions

WILSA Director Lomcebo Dlamini, who also serves in the Judicial Service Commission herself, when presenting the report stated that despite the changes over the years as shown by their survey, the situation of women in leadership can still improve.

She said what came out, as issues for advocacy in the survey were the following;

(i) Leadership as a male gender role: A number of respondents were of the view that the number of women present in leadership positions was less due to the historical perception that leadership, at all levels, from the family to the community and national level – is essentially a male function. As stated above, this view has been coloured by gender constructed societal roles, which apportion certain attributes as belonging to the male or female gender and hence dictate the functions and roles that women and men play in society. Men are perceived as strong and decisive while women are perceived as weak, emotional and indecisive. The latter characteristics are regarded as inappropriate for leadership and hence they are associated with women, and this has acted as a basis for excluding women from leadership positions unless the women portrays what are perceived as ‘manly’ traits.

(ii) Multiple roles of women: A number of respondents noted that the multiple roles played by women because of family responsibilities also exacerbate the challenges that women face in participating effectively at the leadership level. Whilst women are expected to prove themselves in the work arena by going the extra mile, the expectation remains to also fully perform on the domestic front in terms of their family and be carers and nurtures as expected by society. Men – even when they have families – are not burdened with the same expectations, as their wives are the ones who take care of the home and family thus allowing them to concentrate on their leadership functions. It is difficult to balance the two sets of expectations and as a result some women opt not to avail themselves for these positions, not because they are incapable but because of these additional expectations.

(iii) The impact of cultural practices: Women also pointed out some cultural practices, in particular the practice of observing the mourning period that contribute to women facing challenges in the leadership arena. Pertinent example was the area of politics where it was mentioned that a women in mourning gowns would be restricted, in terms of her newly-acquired status, entrance into certain institutions that are critical at the level of national governance. The restrictions would also be applicable in terms of her interaction with key persons in national decision-making such as the King and that would result in her having to either relinquish her position or, at least, not perform the requisite responsibilities until the mourning period is over.

(iv) Institutional impediments: Women’s participation is at times inhibited by the infrastructure of some institutions, and the way in which they operate. For example, in many institutions, issues of operating hours, security concerns and facilities such those relevant for maternity, breastfeeding and day care of children are often not ‘friendly’ for women in the sense that they are not provided for which gives the impression that women were not envisaged as part of the leadership of those structures because they do not cater for additional requirements pertaining to women.

(v) Empowerment issues: The report reveals that the gendered socialisation that has placed emphasis on women being prepared for marriage and the domestic arena has resulted in the lack of confidence to operate in decision-making because they are not as exposed as their male counterparts, who are encouraged to be more vocal from an early age. Thus it is difficult to expect women who were socialised as young girls to be submissive to the assertive as adults in the same way as men who received a different socialisation as young boys, which prepared them for leadership.

Intervention

As means of mitigation, the report proposes the following to be undertaken:

(a) Awareness-raising and sensitisation: There is need to raise awareness and sensitisation on gender issues and the impact they have on various areas of life, including those pertaining to power and decision-making. The reality is that the social deconstruction of gender identities and roles is also linked to attitudinal and behaviour issues, which usually need addressing over a long term.

(b) Capacity building: Capacity building for women at all levels of leadership would also comprise a key area of advocacy. This could be aimed at addressing the following; leadership skills, networking and self-esteem.

(c) Institutionalisation of leadership training: Lobbying relevant structures for the institutionalisation of leadership training so that leadership skills are integrated from an early age into the life skills educational curricula at various levels. Campaigns like ‘take a girl-child to work’ which have been successfully conducted in other countries could be undertaken so as to inspire younger women to understand that they too can aspire for positions of leadership. The establishment of mentorship programmes that enable institutions to ensure skills transfer within the institution so that capacity is built and sustained. Institutions like parliament should provide orientation for new women MPs, and also the establishment of an institution that focuses on leadership training and has specific programmes for women leaders.

(d) Support structures and mechanisms: The establishment of support structures for women in decision-making could also be an advocacy strategy as it could increase women’s interest in participating at that level if they were assured that they would be able to meet with other women in similar positions and share experiences as well as be able to receive assistance where required. This could take the form of discussion convened once a month or quarterly dependent on the preference of members.

Environment:

Swaziland has an enabling environment regarding issues of increasing women’s participation at decision-making levels. This has been provided by a number of important developments, amongst which are the adoption in 1997 of the SADC Gender and Development Declaration, ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) by government in 2004, and the adoption of the national Constitution in 2005.

The Constitution is even more specific as it provides for a minimum quota of 30 percent women in Parliament and a mechanism provided if the quota is not achieved.

Amongst the relevant instruments ratified were CEDAW, which has been hailed at the “international bill of rights for women”, as it advocates for the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women in all sectors of society.

With regard to the political arena article 7 of CEDAW states: “States parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in the political and public life of the country and, in particular, shall ensure to women, on equal terms with men, the right:

(a) to vote in all elections and public referenda and to be eligible for election to all publicly elected bodies

(b) to participate in the formulation of government policy and the implementation thereof and to hold public office and perform all public functions at all levels of government;

(c) to participate in non-governmental organisations and associations concerned with the public and political life of the country.

Link http://www.observer.org.sz/weekend/main.php?id=45844&section=mainweek