Source: Zimta rings bell for gender equality – DailyNews Live
Dakarai Mashava 13 March 2018
HARARE – Zimta president Richard Gundane has said senior officials in his
organisation owe the positions they hold to women.
Gundane, who officially opened the belated International Women’s Day (IWD)
celebrations hosted by Zimta on Saturday said women, by virtue of being
the majority, have the power to make or break leaders.
Women constitute 52 percent of Zimbabwe’s 13 million-plus population.
“The positions we hold in Zimta as men, we owe them to women. Women…also
make up the majority in Zimta,” he said.
Gundane said men need women in order for them to be effective leaders and
citizens.
“Remember there is a `he’ in the `she.’ Men can’t function very well on
their own without women and it is high time women realised the power they
wield,” the Zimta president said.
Referring to the theme of the celebrations – Time is now: rural and urban
activities: Transforming women’s lives – Gundane said the time has
arrived for women to assert their authority.
“When the time is now, we need to read correct and relevant clauses in the
Zimta constitution that speak, that talk to gender equality and equity,”
he said.
Gundane believes women will shrink the gap between them and men with the
help of technology.
“Women must embrace technology. When you don’t do that you belong in the
past and if you belong in the past you can’t influence the future,” said
the Zimta president.
Apart from Gundane, the belated IWD celebrations also featured Zimta vice
president Elizabeth Mahiyana, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions vice
president Florence Taruvinga, ex-Zimta president Tendai Chikowore, Zimta
women representative Esther Gunda, Apex chairperson Cecilia Alexander and
Female Students Network executive director Evernice Munando as well as
Zimta chief executive officer Sifiso Ndlovu.
Ndlovu said Zimta had decided to mark IWD celebrations in order to honour
the various achievements made by women.
“It is a day to remember the achievements of women in various spheres. It
is a day that speaks to the urgency to fight for gender parity.
“Let us end gender stereotypes by coming up with gender-bias-free minds.
“The time has come to actualise the equal participation of women and men
but for that to happen women must take an interest in trade unionism,”
said the Zimta chief executive officer.
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