On March 8 on the occasion of International Women’s Day, Hon. Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga, MP & Vice-Secretary of PGA’s National Group in Zimbabwe, moved a motion on the Unlawful Practice of Child Marriage, which was seconded by the Chair of the group, Hon. Jessie Majome, MP, to celebrate the recent landmark judgment of the Constitutional Court clarifying and emphasizing the constitutional ban on child marriages.
I haven’t had a full night’s sleep since my interview with Star FM. I’ve received numerous abusive messages; while I initially dismissed them as political banter, I’m now genuinely concerned for my safety. I’m taking two actions: posting the numbers of those contacting me on my page and reporting this to the police, both here and in South Africa, as some of the numbers are South African."
Thankfully, I’ll be in South Africa soon and will meet with authorities there. If I had any doubts that some claiming to be democrats are simply replicating Zanu PF tactics, the threats and cyberbullying I’ve faced over the past 48 hours have erased them. It’s truly disappointing and sad to realize that people I’ve trusted for over two decades are turning out to be the very things they oppose.
For all the differences I may have had with some people in the party, this is one party that allowed me as a person to grow in many areas of what has become my political experience
The fact remains that during both the Inclusive Government negotiations and the Constitution making process, the MDC remained the only party that deployed a woman to the table
In fact it was only the MDC that had a woman as its chief negotiator. I will remain grateful for that opportunity
I was able to bring issues I felt were at the heart of the women I represented, was able to speak on the issues of Matebelaland without being apologetic, and in all this, at no point did the party seek to restrain or censor me, for that I remain indebted
I have always believed that submitting to a party means submitting to being deployed where the party feels you are best suited
There are many people who have capacity and perhaps better energy to take on the Parliamentary role and it is important that they too are supported and encouraged to move forward. I, therefore, hold no grudge against the party for choosing to move forward without me
If any, I should take including how they see me playing that role. I will remain an activist on women’s issues and remain convinced that the issue of marginalisation of Matabeleland should take center stage in the national discourse
If I don’t go back into the House I do hope that the women who go in will build on the little steps we have climbed and just remember, if you need tips we will be there, and don’t mind the bullies; it gets better
.svg){kind=small}
