Formal politics at the district and sub district levels: the case of Goromonzi

Abstract

Women’s participation in public life has generated interest from both political and social science. Women use different strategies to gain access to resources and power within the local community. The focus of the study is the participation of women in formal and non formal politics. In party politics, women’s participation may be constrained by the relative closure of the institutionalized political system. Women who are in the opposition parties may find it difficult to come into the open about their political participation because of fear of violence from the ruling parties. Women in formal politics also have different sources of power and authority. Power may be wielded by individuals because of their personal characteristics or husband’s positions. Women may access positions of power and authority because they are sisters, wives, aunts, daughters or widows of powerful men. However, women who have significant power in local structures are those who belong to powerful organizations such as the church, political parties and government. Women utilize different strategies in formal politics of which networks and patron client relationships are the most common strategies. In non formal politics, the thesis analyses the participation of women in civil society organizations which include the Goromonzi Women’s Ratepayers Association (GWRA), the Chinyika Farmers Group and the Agriculture Dairy Project. Market women were an important group in civil society in Goromonzi who pursued both economic and political objectives. The thesis identifies the similarities, linkages and differences between formal and non formal politics. In both formal and non formal politics some women become leaders because of their relationship with powerful men and women in the community or outside the local communities. The thesis emphasizes the agency of women in the context of opportunities and constraints. Women therefore organize around issues relating to accessing resources rather than politics per se. Some women in Goromonzi had disengaged from both formal and non formal politics or preferring to concentrate on individual ventures rather than associational activities. It offers fresh insights into the current knowledge on women in politics, transactionalism, gender and power relations at the community level. The concept of social networks is also explored in the context of politics at the grassroots level and is a valuable contribution to the existing body of knowledge on networks.