Women score big in cabinet

by Tawanda Musariri

President Emmerson Mnangagwa last Friday announced a 20 member cabinet where six women will sit.

The biggest overture made to women since 1980 is the awarding of the powerful Defence Ministry to Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, making her the most powerful woman in Zimbabwe following her appointment as Chairman of the ruling Zanu PF party in December 2017.

Also to get cabinet posts are Honourable Monica Mutsvangwa who received the powerful Information Publicity and Broadcasting Ministry, also a first for women.

Dr Sekai Nzenza and Priscah Mupfumira got the Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare and the Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry ministries respectively. Hon Mupfumira is a former tourism minister.

Minister Sithembiso Nyoni retained her Women Affairs Ministry.

New on the block, representing multi-racialism, youth and technocrats is swimming sensation, Hon Kirsty Coventry who is arriving in cabinet as a non constituency Member of Parliament.

Women also got five of the ten provincial ministries with Harare yet to be decided. Previously, Harare was held by a woman, Miriam Chikukwa.

Among the thirteen deputies, women got three, including another ministerial position in Vice President  Constantino Chiwenga's office held by honourable Evelyne Ndlovu.

In essence, women have a 30% cabinet presence while they have taken 31%  of the 45 appointments made today.

President Mnangagwa's overtures to the women today is a good omen for women and a promise of their important input into national affairs now and into the future.