Cabinet has approved Principles for the Amendment of the Constitution on Proportional Representation in Local Authorities which seek to advance gender equality to local government structures.
Addressing the media during a post-cabinet media briefing in Harare on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said Cabinet approved the principle to provide for a 30% quota for women in all local authorities. Said Mutsvangwa:
Cabinet considered and approved Principles for the Amendment of the Constitution on Proportional Representation in Local Authorities, which was presented by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works.
The proposal is in response to submissions by Women Councillors at Victoria Falls, which President Emmerson Mnangagwa undertook to bring to Cabinet.
The Principles seek to extend the progressive Constitutional provisions on gender equality to local Government structures.
In particular, the systems of proportional representation for the election of candidates to Parliamentary seats will be extended to local authorities.
The principles will facilitate increased women and minority parties representation in lower tiers of governance thereby bringing stability and balance in decision-making as power-sharing becomes more visible at the grassroots level.
Another key highlight is that Cabinet approved the principle to provide for a 30% quota for women in all local authorities.