An Evaluation of the Role of Women in Conflict Resolution Processes in Zimbabwe from 2008 to 2013: A Case Study of Marlborough Suburb, Harare

Abstract

The research sought to evaluate the role that women play in the conflict resolution processes in Zimbabwe using a case study of Marlborough Suburb in Harare. The area of study is where the researcher resides. The case study research design was chosen because it enabled the researcher to make use of the several approaches to research. The qualitative approaches enabled the researcher to study the phenomena in the natural settings, coming face to face with reality. This research used questionnaires and interviews in collecting data. Semi-structured questionnaire were used during interviews. Structured interviews were expected to improve the quality of the data. Other than using questionnaires, face-to-face interviews were conducted. Respondents were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. The interviewees comprised men and women, In order to come up the respondents for this particular research, purposive sampling was adopted. In this case, respondents were selected on the basis of the researcher's judgement about which ones would be the most useful or representative. The researcher relied on his expert judgement to select respondents that were representative or typical of the population. The results showed that the respondents were aware of the conflict resolution processes in Zimbabwe. There was a general feeling that women should be included in the Conflict Resolution processes. Research findings indicate that there were more male participants in conflict resolution processes in Zimbabwe than their female counterparts. Respondents concurred that women were not adequately represented and therefore there was a call to have them enjoy equal opportunities in the conflict resolution processes. The study also revealed that women were being excluded from the conflict resolution processes because of the perceived patriarchal systems that were in practice in some parts of the country. Some respondents highlighted that women were less educated than their male counterparts. Other respondents indicated that women were less not prepared to take up challenges in decision making positions such as politics. Despite the exclusion of from participating in conflict resolution processes, it was found out that women in Zimbabwe had a critical role to play in solving conflicts. Reasons for the need to include women in conflict resolution ranged from the fact that women constituted fifty-two (52%) of the country's population and should therefore have a role in the affairs of Zimbabwe. Women were also said to be having motherly love and this would be handy in the conflict resolution processes. The respondents highlighted that women should be included in the conflict resolution processes because they were more patient than man and that they were known to be peace loving. The research also revealed that women faced some challenges in the conflict resolution processes. The challenges were highlighted as the non implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000), lack of policies that supported women participation in the conflict resolution processes, patriarchal systems and that women were afraid of taking up challenges in politics. To overcome these challenges, the respondents recommended that Zimbabwe must implement and enforce the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000). The respondents also advocated for the removal of patriarchal practices that excluded women from participating in political decision making positions. There was also a call for the Zimbabwean government to enact laws that that encourage and support women participation in the political sphere.