Women Chiefs Push for Quota System

July 25, 2006 (Herald) Women chiefs in Southern Africa are pushing for a quota system in the election of executive office bearers, a move that will guarantee significant representation in national associations. The women chiefs also want stiffer sentences for rape offences. In separate interviews during the just-ended annual chiefs' conference in Kariba, the women chiefs said they are not different from their male counterparts and should therefore get equal respect and representation.

Zimbabwe has four female chiefs and one who is holding the post for a 12-year-old nephew. The chiefs are Sinqobile Mabhena of Gwanda, Chief Ketso Mathe, also of Gwanda, and Acting Chief Hleziphi Dakamela of Nkayi, Chief Charehwa of Mutoko and Chief Chimukoko of Mutoko. Three of the chiefs attended the annual conference. Two other female chiefs from Zambia and South Africa joined them.

"We want the quota system applied to us as well in the chiefs' council. At the moment we are very few and are always defeated during voting," said Chief Mathe.
She said there was need to legislate for the automatic appointment of women in the executive positions. "We feel the conference has dealt enough with women issues. There are still fears in some women whether they can become leaders where there are men," she said.

Acting Chief Dakamela, who has not faced any gender related biases during her reign since 2004, said men in her area respect her judgments. Acting Chief Dakamela is a teacher at Nkayi Dakamela Primary School while her counterpart Chief Mabhena is also a teacher in her area. "I encourage other women to take over chieftainships because we are just like our male counterparts. Women have problems in taking their problems to men. Men have the confidence to approach us with their problems," she said.

She said on that strength more women should be made chiefs. Chief Mathe said rapists should be killed while acting Chief Dakamela said rapists should serve life sentences. Chief Nomandla Mhlauli of South Africa, who is holding the post for her son who is still at school, said she felt comfortable in her position because in the Eastern Cape, where she comes from, women are regarded highly.

"I feel comfortable as chief. I come from Rharhabe region which recognises females," she said. Chief Chiyaba of Zambia said she felt no different from the men when doing her job. "I do not feel any different. I do my work accordingly. Where I need to put my weight I do so. I do not look at my status as a woman. I just demand what is right for myself and my people," she said. Chief Chiyaba, who speaks fluent Shona and whose people are called the Shonas of Zambia, said chiefs in Zambia have power over land and preside over a number of offences such as cattle thefts.

She said headmen in Zambia give land with the consent of the chief who in turn asks the Government to give title deeds. "When there is an opening (executive post) we will incite our female folks to go for the posts. However, in Zambia we want it to be case of ability," she said. Chief Chiyaba said chieftainship in Zambia is matrimonial. "We believe that the women should be the ones to produce future chiefs. The reason is that when a woman is pregnant everyone knows she is carrying a baby. In my case my son can become a chief but his children can never," she said.

From: http://allafrica.com/stories/200607250963.html