Women’s Coalition demonstrate over MP’s sexist comments

By Violet Gonda
10 October 06

At least 50 women from the Women’s Coalition took part in a protest march Tuesday to demonstrate their anger over recent degrading statements made by opposition legislator Timothy Mubhawu. He told Parliament during a debate on the Domestic Violence Bill that “it was against God’s principles that men and women should be equal.”

The women marched to Harvest House, the MDC Headquarters in Harare, where they were addressed by opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai. Freelance journalist Frank Chikowore said although Mr Tsvangirai emphasised he did not condone Mubhawu’s remarks, he said the women were protesting in a selective manner. The opposition leader said there was no outcry from the women when their fellow colleagues like ZCTU Vice President Lucia Matibenga were recently brutalised while in police custody.

Chikowere said protesters like writer Tsitsi Dangarembgwa expressed dismay at Mr Tsvangirai’s remarks, “She said Mr Tsvangirai is pushing a political agenda and that the MDC is not concerned about women’s rights issues and there is no point in him trying to hide behind a finger by talking about Mrs Matibenga who was assaulted while in police custody.”

Critics also point out that the selective nature of the police force was also evident in the way they allowed this particular demonstration to go ahead, while other protests against the state are quashed. Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) have participated in peaceful demonstrations for a better standard of living many times but always end up in detention bruised and beaten.

When contacted for comment on the demonstration against him Timothy Mubhawu told SW Radio Africa that he is “facing a torrid time from the women.” He however refused to comment further, only saying; “I will give my full response in detail on Monday 4 o’clock, such that there will be no-one with questions and everyone will be happy, including those who are demonstrating against me.”

Mubhawu faced growing pressure even from within his party with Matibenga, who is also the chairperson of the MDC Women’s Assembly, saying: “We strongly feel that the party, in terms of protocol, has to deal decisively with the conduct of Mubhawu in parliament.”