THE Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCOZ) has amplified calls for political parties to abstain from intimidating women when they vote today.
In a pre-election briefing in Harare yesterday, WCOZ board chairperson Madrine Chiku said they would not tolerate any form of violence against women.
“We are, therefore, reminding all stakeholders that any form of intimidation via misinformation and violence (should be shunned) and the electoral code of conduct and any other electoral provisions should be adhered to,” Chiku said.
“We call upon multi-layered electoral authorities to remain vigilant and alert to intimidation of women in all its forms and to be responsible in providing remedies to women to de-escalate conflict.
“During polling and as we wait for the official announcements of election results, we impress upon leaders of political parties and communities to exercise the highest level of personal discipline and restraint in their public statements and actively de-escalate any tensions in any community to deliver enhanced protection for marginalised groups of women across the country.”
Political intimidation and violence have been cited as some of the major reasons behind women’s reluctance to participate in electoral processes.
While women constitute the majority of the country’s population United Zimbabwe Alliance leader Elisabeth Valerio is the only female presidential aspirant.
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