Gender team puts MPs on notice over two-thirds rule

The National Gender and Equality Commission has given MPs seven months to enact a law guiding the implementation of two-thirds gender rule.

The commission wants the National Assembly and Senate to come up with the legal framework on how they intend to meet the constitutional requirement by August 15.

“In six months they must give us a framework on how it should be done,” said chairperson Winfred Lichuma. “We have several proposals on the table including amending the Constitution, which we don’t favour”.

The commission is currently engaged in talks with the Attorney General and parliamentary committees over the requirement that has caused ripples in public offices.

Ms Lichuma said they have also put political parties on the radar to see how they implement the two-thirds gender rule within their membership ranks.

She said if political parties took deliberate action to push for election of women in elective posts, then the number of nominated MPs would fall significantly.

“The best formula would be for political parties to bring in the numbers that are elected. This means political parties should help us convince the electorate to vote for a woman,” said Ms Lichuma.

The commission is next month expected to table its proposal before Parliament.

She said amendment to Political Parties Act, Election Act and revision of other legislation was a viable option. However, Ms Lichuma said even though constitutional changes would be appropriate, the result could be detrimental in the push for gender equity.

No woman was elected governor or senator in the last General Election.

However, nominations enabled the Senate to uphold the Constitution by bringing in 18 women.