MUTARE– Transparency International Zimbabwe says full implementation of devolution will open up opportunities for women participation in governance while curbing gendered forms of corruption.
Speaking on the sidelines of a Social Accountability Interface meeting held yesterday, TIZ director Muchaneta Mundopa said women who bear the brunt of poor governance, service delivery and corruption will benefit by having a closer interaction with governance of the local affairs.
“Devolution will help in service delivery, bring council closer to the people and offer services that are tailor mad for the communities.
“We have seen as TIZ that women do suffer from poor service delivery, including issues of sextortion when they try to access services, so we are hoping that devolution with, curb forms of corruption as women are also empowered to participate to in governance at local levels,” she said.
Mundopa said while TIZ embraced government’s decision to implement devolution as a great milestone towards democracy and good governance, safeguards should be in place for its full implementation.
She called for greater scrutiny on the implementation of devolution.
“Decentralization, if fully implemented, will foster participation representation responsiveness effectiveness transparency and accountability. I must emphasize however that if fully implemented.
“This is because currently the government in terms of the Constitution is realizing 5% of its total budget to local authorities and provincial tires, this is not enough,” she said.
“The devolution agenda in Zimbabwe is marred in controversy as we have seen a number of councilors and MPs being recalled…the process of determining the continuation in office to the end of term, as we have seen in Zimbabwe, is not with the people although the power of electing lies with the people,” she added.
Speaking at the same occasion Her Excellency the Ambassador of Sweden to Zimbabwe, Asa Pehrson said democracy can only be deepened through active participation of citizens, regardless of gender.
“We are here to listen to you…for a long time we have supported and we continue to support initiatives that strengthen democracy, local governance and protection of human rights. We are very happy to partner on such issues,” she said.
TIZ research and advocacy officer, Samuel Matikiti, said gendered corruption such as sex-tortion, is a trigger for the continuation of the cycle of GBV against women.
“The relationships between gender and corruption remains least explored. While we have unearthed disproportionate impact of corruption on women and girls, there are still gaps that need to be covered.
“We need to push for this because it allows us a country to remain on track to achieve sustainable development,” he said.
