Advancing Gender Equality in Zimbabwean Politics: An Electoral Design or a Political Party Mandate? Lessons from South Africa

Abstract

Since 1980, Zimbabwe has implemented various measures, including quota systems and legislative and constitutional reforms to promote gender equality in politics. However, these measures have not produced satisfactory results, as demonstrated by the continued under-representation of women in Parliament, local government and Cabinet. This article exposes a persistent disparity, with women remaining disadvantaged in Zimbabwean political participation. It also identifies significant deficiencies in the legal framework and limitations within the judiciary in supporting women’s political participation. Through the lens of liberal feminism, the study employs a doctrinal legal methodology, principally qualitative in approach, with a limited comparative dimension used to identify lessons from South Africa. In South Africa, voters elect political parties, which subsequently allocate parliamentary seats to their members. This system provides parties with greater discretion to promote women’s representation through the zebra strategy, whereby male and female candidates are alternated on party lists. The study argues that Zimbabwe could adopt a similar strategy nationally. Strengthening political parties’ role in promoting gender-balanced representation could advance equal political opportunities for women and contribute to substantive gender equality in Zimbabwe.