Research Consultant: Local NGO 1889 views

Research Consultant: Local NGODeadline: 14 December 2018 (1pm)

Women’s participation in politics remains one of the key issues on the agenda of the world. Regional and International instruments recognize the need for having women in politics and removing all barriers in female participation. Historically women were viewed as minors and could not vote or actively participate in any political decision making position. On this basis, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948 recognised holding political office as a right for all. Articles 2 and 21 stipulate equal enjoyment of political rights without discrimination based on one’s sex or any other ground.

The Constitution of Zimbabwe mandates the state to promote gender balance in all spheres of life. Section 17 states that the ‘state must promote full gender balance in Zimbabwean society’. Section 56 also states that women and men have the right to equal treatment including right to equal opportunities in political, economic, cultural and social spheres.’ Zimbabwean women in the political sphere experience a lot of challenges. In the 2018 election cycle women participated in different ways namely as candidates, as election workers (this includes ZEC Officials, political party agents, observers) and women as voters. In all these roles it was observed that the political environment was toxic and misogynistic, that it was very difficult for female candidates, female commissioners to participate without being called derogatory names. After the election reports of women who worked in the election cycle being targeted by communities are still being received as some political players blame it on them for winning or losing the election.

It was observed that the trend of harassment towards women with very little recourse to justice. Although the Electoral Act provided for a comprehensive Code of Conduct for Political Parties, Candidates and other Stakeholders. This was a welcome development as the code clearly stipulates the way political parties, candidates, agents, and their supporters should conduct themselves. It also covers issues such as politically motivated violence, assault and intimidation, which had been inadequately dealt in previous election cycles. It also addresses issues of hate language; damage and defacing of campaign material; the coercion of voters to participate in political parties’ activities and calls on political players to respect the role of the media and women in elections. The Code of Conduct is comprehensive in dealing with electoral issues that had plagued the Zimbabwean electoral cycle in previous elections. However, the enforcement mechanism remains the problem.

Women who are willing to participate face violence in different leadership spheres and are not sure of the response mechanisms to get assistance. Documenting these experiences is important to provide evidence of policy and practice reform in Zimbabwe. Therefore, it is important to start national conversations about the experiences of women in political spheres and their experiences can be made better.

We are therefore seeking a consultant who will conduct a research which will provide important baseline data by Documenting and writing a paper on the experiences of women in the election cycle and insights and recommendations around which we can engage relevant stakeholders to develop strategies for reform in policy and practice in women’s political participation

Skills and ExperienceThe study shall be carried out by a consultant/ consultants that shall have the following skills and competencies: At least a Masters Degree Gender Studies, Law, Social Science, Development Studies, Economics or other relevant disciplines; High quality skills and demonstrated experience in research, particularly, gender and/or women’s rights-related research, contextual analyses and baseline studies; Demonstrated understanding of constitutional and policy environment on women’s political participation; Excellent analytical and report writing skills, such as policy briefs for advocacy; Fluency in spoken and written English and local languages

Tax and VAT arrangements: Withholding tax from the consultancy fees in conformity with the prevailing government rates will be deducted and submitted the same to the Government of Zimbabwe. The consultant will be entitled to a copy of tax submission certificate on request.

To applyPlease send CVs to [email protected] by 1300hrs on the 14th of December 2018.