Half of state travels of university board must be women

Zimbabwe has come with higher and higher education minister compelling law to ensure that at least half of the appointed ministers of all university councils are women, as required by the constitution.

General laws Amendment Bill, which is directed through parliament by the deputy chairman Emerson Mnangagwa, also seeks to achieve "equitable regional representation" in universities.

The bill aims to bring 126 laws in accordance with the Constitution, negotiated between President Robert Mugabe and former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai in 2013, during the days of the coalition government. Coalition ended in July 2013 with elections, which were won by Mugabe - Tsvangirai said were falsified.

The new constitution was a major achievement of their collaboration, providing checks and balances of power Mugabe and giving greater freedoms Zimbabwe's previous constitutions.

Subsequent cabinet Mugabe has had several women, causing outrage among activists of women. MPs are now pushing for laws to achieve gender equality, such as university management.

Constitutional clauses ignored

Part of the General Laws Amendment Bill says higher and tertiary education minister "seeks to ensure that at least half of the appointed members of the council are women." Paul clauses in the bill were adopted by the justice portfolio committee of the National Assembly.

Jessie Majored, Chairman of the Committee, said in an interview that lawmakers demanded the law as constitutional provisions on gender and regional representation are not respected.

"The Constitution requires that there should be gender balance and equitable regional representation in all sectors and institutions, and that there were many appointments, even at the highest level, do not reflect that," said Majored Movement Tsvangirai democratic change who was deputy justice minister in the coalition government.

According to the Constitution, the state must take a fair and positive action to promote previously marginalized groups and to ensure that all communities have fair access to resources to promote their development.

"The State shall take all measures, including legislative measures, to ensure that both sexes are equally represented in all institutions and agencies of government and (II), women make up at least half of the members of all committees and other selection and appointment of public authorities, "says the Constitution.