Women and Politics: Why I think women should be more involved in politics

Women and politics

The subject of women and politics is not new, and will always emerge in different forms and shapes. What is not common anymore is to hear men openly dress down women, telling them that they have no right to discuss politics, and that their places are at home with children. This mindset can be referred by some as being primitive, and politically incorrect. My simple explanation to why this stigma on women is quickly evaporating and considered an embarrassment in modern societies, is because, women have proved to be just as effective. The world seems to be moving from gender bashing to creativity. 

In societies where creativity and progress lack, it is very common for men to make sweeping statements about women and children. I decided to pick on a society that I am very familiar with, since I not only belong to it, but have often times felt victimized by the stereotypes and phantom men superiority, on more than one occasion. 

The most recent encounter with this hostility was when I called to on a radio show (earlier this week), to share my thoughts about problems that can emanate from calling for instant rebellions against governments with no thought out strategies, nor post rebellion plans in place. I also suggested that in choosing who to follow in these rebellions, we have to scrutinize the personality and political history of the aspiring rebellion leaders. I dismissed the individual who was calling for rebellion as an overzealous ambitious former Student body leader, who did not understand the fundamentals of an organization infrastructure. He never submitted to the authority, nor respected decisions that any of his former organizations’ superiors made. He unconsciously, in an interview, admitted that there could be nobody to tell him what do (talk of ambitions to remove a dictator).  

These comments for some reason, did not sit well with one listener, who called in, and said , when men talk politics, women should go and take care of children... I should admit, this was like a ghost from the past… my first reaction was a compulsion to ask the hosting DJ to kick him off air, but then I decided to hear, what it is that made him think I had no right to contribute in this discussion.

It is based on this little scenario, and many similar ones that got me thinking of many reasons why Zimbabwean and Afrikan women at large, should participate more in politics.

Zimbabwean men and society

For years, these domineering men, have contributed little or nothing, but talk and act out of emotions. They left their homes, country and continent in tatters. As much as the West has played a part in reducing the Afrikan worthiness, Afrikan men have done very little to help the situation. They have indulged in rivalry, from nuclear families, to the outside world. They have killed their own, to please others. Gave away all their integrity and submitted to direct or indirect slavery. The so called successful ones have distanced themselves from African values, they learn to talk about them, and debate, with eloquence, in theory, when in actual fact, they are dead to these values. It does not take a lot to convince a Zimbabwean man to sell their souls. They seem to find satisfaction in pulling down the next person that looks like them. Unlike some men who murder for glory, Zimbabwean men murder out of self-hate, they do not need a reason other than that the person that should be taken down is better than them.

Lack of creativity and a mind to expand

Another achievement that a typical Zimbabwean man requires, is a female figure, who is highly submissive, to uphold their (men’s) status within the community. This woman is bought paid for (and she constantly gets reminded, not only by him, but her relatives as well). She has to bear children, and make sure they are well taken care of, for his name’s sake. To show that he is a real man, he does not have to build himself a home, that of course is a woman’s responsibility. 

However, there are some who give in to slavery, and eventually buy houses from their masters, and try to keep up with the masters’ lifestyles. This never really happens for most of these Zimbabweans live in debt, and usually need to have more than one job to keep up with debt payment in foreign lands. The typical hard workers had successful occupations in Zimbabwe, but because of lack of creativity, they decided to follow the “masters,” when the economy was crashing, this obviously led to a poor state of affairs. It is this group that used to work Monday to Friday, 8 to 4, had countless paid leave days, even on unannounced absenteeism. Weekends were spent in certain resort areas that were formerly meant for “whites”. A very sorry situation, considering that these places were built for a smaller number of the population. Instead of creating their own clubs to be proud about, they always preferred to fit into the existing tiny structures. Their children were brought up under the influence of self-loathe…

I am not going to spare the “patriots” who remained in the villages and towns of Zimbabwe. For these men have done nothing but grumble and spread diseases. Instead of spending more hours at work to develop themselves, they spend more time following politicians and allowing themselves and their children to be yoked and whipped. They have resorted to listening to the loudest speaker, without caring a bit about the content of the messages spoken…

The settings in most of their homes are shameful, men sit on stools and women sit on either straw, or goat skin mats. None thinks of making more “stools” for the whole family, to sit on, or a table, not even a higher place for their wives and helpers to do dishes from. The common structures are round huts with grass thatching, they and never think of improving this home… Everything men in villages do is impulsive, there is no planning whatsoever. Some families afford 3 meals a day, which are usually, Isitshwala/Sadza for lunch and dinner, and tea for breakfast.

Women, the only hope for Zimbabwe

Zimbabwean women have been shushed by “culture” and “religion” which seem to require them to be “vessels unto honor” support men and not question any decisions they make, lest they become “undesirable”. They are not supposed to talk because almost all have been paid for, one way or the other, so they are moving property. 

 Vote

In one of his rallies in Gwanda, Welshman Ncube acknowledged that women had the power to remove Mugabe, because they were the ones who voted him in. For years, women are seen as essential and effective tools for advertising political parties. This is because they are honest, and desire to participate and make differences in their societies.

Innovation and Restoration

Imagine what Zimbabwe would be like, if each man, put at least 6 hours of work towards developing their home and society, using available resources. 

Zimbabwe has been failed by its males, who from time to time have been used or made slaves by other men from other races, and have a reputation of emotions instead of reason. African women, always left behind to pick up the broken pieces, nurse the children and think of the next meal for the next day.  

It is these same people, who never miss a chance to bash women who give their objective opinions.

Zimbabwean women have taken criticism, and submitted, even though decisions made always left them in worse conditions than those who made them. I say it is time to rise above being vessels unto honor, to being honorable to our children, and generations to come. Men have lost all hope, women have not done anything about hope. Women are more than bed partners or mothers. Instead of sitting and waiting for sexually driven admiration from their male mates, women should take their education and instincts more seriously. They should stand and command men to listen, for once, while they lead them to paths of righteousness. I call upon all witty women, to take time and consider effective ways we rebuild our country, the only way we know how. 

Just to leave you with something to ponder upon: Have ever thought of how successful countries ruled by women can be? Look no further than the Great Britain. It is the Queen who granted treaties to explorers and colonizers who have made remarkable history. Had they dismissed her as a thoughtless sub-human who was good at nothing but breeding, would we be enjoying the well organized and glorified West?

Feel free to send your comments to khanyi31@gmail.com