Improved service delivery

The Chitungwiza Town was like a war zone for women in decision making positions at Chitungwiza Municipality, “these women are running the Municipality like their own tuckshop ” a saying from Union Members and Residents. How can we have so many women at the top who are not even residents of Chitungwiza as if there are no men and women in Chitungwiza who are educated ”. The same sentiments were so vivid in the Chamber to the extend of confrontation. As if that was not enough and despite the fact that 2013 elections gave birth to a 50% increase in number of women councillors, the problem persisted. They could not come into terms with such a set up of having too many women on top according to them. Prior to 2012, there were only two female HODs and four female Councillors. This era saw lack of appreciation of gender issues as well as the need for gender balance hence the alleged taboo of having four female managers in decision making positions. Gender issues were not prioritized neither were they budgeted for. Manning levels were not gender disaggregated, recruitment was done randomly without being gender sensitive. Though some of the activities were gender sensitive, there was a serious knowledge gap and things were not documented. The appointment of a Gender Focal Person who is in a decision making position saw the talk of gender issues though at first Councillors and some officials had this to say, “Gender Links should stop such cheap politics and campaigns, they think we do not know what they are up to. If they want Chitungwiza to promote that issue of women, they should fund all gender activities, we are currently in serious financial constraints ”. However after several trainings on gender, management, councillors and the community are now singing the same chorus. There is now a provision of gender issues in all our budget. Needs analysis are even carried out at strategic level in order to close some of the gender gaps. The talk is now about accessing essential services by all in Chitungwiza. Gender focal persons are now free to talk about gender issues during their ward meetings. Communities are now gender aware as a result of various gender structures which were put in place. We are now continuously reviewing our policies and procedure manuals to gender responsive policies. Key gender related policies are now in place.

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