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(HERALD) Robinson hails Zimbabwe’s open approach to democracy

Robinson hails Zimbabwe’s open approach to democracy
Herald Reporter

FORMER Irish president Mrs Mary Robinson has commended Zimbabwe’s efforts to build an open and participatory democracy, which ensures respect for the rule of law and protects the fundamental rights of all its citizens.

Mrs Robinson said this yesterday while giving a keynote address at the Dialogue on Women’s Empowerment workshop in political and economic sectors. She said the Global Political Agreement signed by the three main political parties provided mechanisms for this to happen.

"I know many challenges remain for the people of Zimbabwe, but I believe that by working together in good faith you will achieve full implementation of your GPA and shape a more inclusive and transparent Government that protects all Zimbabweans," Mrs Robinson said.

She said there were some general principles on process and content in constitutional reviewing that were crucial for securing women’s rights. She said a democratic constitution could be written in a non-participatory approach as well.

Mrs Robinson said the commitment to a participatory constitution-making approach was commendable but the challenge was to ensure that it actually entailed inclusive, participatory and gender-sensitive processes and outcomes.

"Effective participatory constitution making has to provide for women’s equal representation in the process and outcome. No process, which includes or marginalises the majority of the population can be representative.

"No constitution, which has failed to fully ensure the perspectives and concerns of women can be seen as fully legitimate over time. The equal participation of women and men in constitution making is an essential element for democratic governance. The public outreach phase currently planned is a vital stage in the process," she said.

Mrs Robinson stressed the security concerns of all involved in the constitution making process.

She said women and men must be allowed to operate in a violence and intimidation free environment and that such violence must be prevented and effectively prosecuted in Zimbabwe’s courts.

She said since Zimbabwe was signatory to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women - Beijing Platform of Action, the African Union Protocol on Women’s Rights and the Sadc Protocol on Gender and Development that address gender inequalities and it was now time to fully implement and embrace that as part of the constitution-making process.

Labels: DEMOCRACY, MARY ROBINSON

posted by MrK @ 8:33 PM