THE MILLSTONE AROUND WOMENS’ NECKS

A millstone in ancient times was one of the largecircular stones used in the grinding of corn.The phrase alludes to a method of executing people by throwing them into deep water with a heavy stone attached to them,a fate believed to have been suffered by early Christian martyrs.
The above idiom is reflective of the severe impediments and disadvantages women in Zimbabwe are facing.Are we still living in a patriachal era?This question appears more poignant with eachday that passes and continues to haunt many women today.For example there has been lack of legargy especially in government over the promotion of women's rights.Of course one can argue but in my own view the sycophantic retort that government promotes the role of women is misleading.What we have witnessed in the past are promises that never translate into action.This is not to overlok the progress made especially in promoting women's rights but the snails' pace with which the empowerment of women is moving is rather disheartening.Women continue to be victimized just because are women.
One disturbing story that i once read from the press involved a 13year old minor who was raped by MDC legislator for Kwekwe central,Blessing Chebundo.To my surprise he was found not guilty of the charge.The story went on to say that Magistrate William Bhila cleared him of the charges after the complainant was found to have been an unreliable witness in the case.The reason for his acquittal was because the the young girl took 5months to report the case.Chebundo dismissed the rape charges saying they have been "manufactured" by his political opponents.
This whole drama that transpired forces one to question the efficiency of our judiciary system today.Our judiciary is very magnamious with criminals who abuse women.The truth of the matter however is that Chebundo had sex with a minor which is a form of child abuse since the girl was below the age of 18.
This same tragedy also makes one want to question the role of None governmental organisations that deal with women and children rights.I thought that the following morning i was going to hear a furore over the injustice that has prevailed but there was surreal silence.For once,satire has disappeared from these organisations that claim to deal with with issues that affect  vulnerable children and women.When you claim to serve the interests of girls it is not only confined to equal rights.Sexual abuse is also a serious issue to advocate against even if it means challenging court rulings.
Chebundo took advantage of the girl in the sense that he might have used his position or money to lure the girl into bed.Either way it was a violation of the her rights.NGO's that deal with chidren must not just be vocal when it comes to politics aand gender issues but they should adhere to their core business of protecting childrens' rights.Girl Child Network where are you?Shouldn'n you have at least condemned the ruling or challenged it.Which girl child are you protecting?
This injustice that now characterises our judiciary is going to encourage more men to to sexually abuse young girls because they know that stifferb penalties are not in place.Our judiciary now is in a state of confusion and disarray and a lot of people have since stopped taking their cases to court because failure to get a lawyer will result in them loosing the case.
The relegation of women to second class citizens is not only confined to the judiciary and courts but it cuts across politics,media and economy.In politics we have 7female Ministers who are full time ministers.This numer is against more than thirty male ministers who occupy leadership positions and are usually head of ministries..The number of female ministers explicitly reveal that the seven female ministers might not represent the views of more than eight million women in the country.
The global  political agreement was negotiated merely by men though there is Priscilla Mushonga from MDC-M whose input into the talks might be thwarted by male figures.So it can be said that the agreement was negotiated by male figures who have continued to dominate it,who will also "engage" and "disengage" while women play a spectator's roleDoes this mean that women cannot input any meaningful suggestions?In my view i think they can if afforded the chance.
Whenever journalists want a comment on any topical issue,they always quote a male figure and the last and hopeless resorty will be a female?This is because the media also is biased towards gender equality.Does this mena that women cannot comment on anything or ti is just gender segregation.A lot of campaigns have been done  but their contribution have been futile and void because of lack of political will especially upon government to put in place sound legislation that promote and improve the ststus of women.
Women are as important as men and one fact that a lot of people forget is that they outnumber men.For example in the current constituion making process,women are rarely given a voice even though they have a deciding voice in the coming referendum.Repugnant legislation that degrade the role of women must be repealed but the question that many ask is"are women willing to be liberated from the gallows of patriachy?"Only they can speak for themselves.