women should be represented as Ministers and Deputy Ministers in every sector to ensure their impact on policy-making and program implementation. 7.2 The current Constitution contains no provision promoting or ensuring women’s presence as government decision-makers. In Clause 5.17(4), the COPAC draft addresses this issue by indicating that the appointment of Ministers and Deputy Ministers must take into account ethnic, regional and gender balance considerations. This provision, against the backdrop of Clause 2.9 which requires the State to take reasonable measures to ensure both genders are equally represented in all institutions and agencies of the State and government, provides a clear mandate for women’s equal presence at all levels of governemnt. 7.3 That said, application of these provisions will have to be diligent in fulfilling the State’s commitment under the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development to reach at least 50% of female representation in public decision-making posts. 8. Chapter 6: Parliament 8.1 Parliament is the highest representative body and the most important policy making authority in the country. Women should be represented in Parliament in numbers reflecting Zimbabwe’s population so that they can participate in decision-making at the highest level and bring their perspectives to bear on national policies to ensure effective representation of the general public. 8.2 Art. 7 of CEDAW enjoins States Parties to take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in the political and public life of the country and, in particular, to ensure that women have, on equal terms with men, the right to vote in all elections and public referenda and to be eligible for election to all publicly elected bodies; to participate in the formulation of government policy and the implementation thereof and to hold public office and perform all public functions at all levels of government. 8.3 Art. 10 of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of women in Africa echoes the same sentiments as Art. 7 of CEDAW. It provides that States Parties shall take measures to promote participative governance and the equal participation of women in the political life of their countries through affirmative action, enabling national legislation and other measures to ensure that women are represented equally at all levels with men in all electoral processes; women are equal partners with men at all levels of development and implementation of State policies and development programmes. State parties are also required to ensure increased and effective representation and participation of women at all levels of decision-making. 8.4 These sentiments are also repeated in art. 12 of the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development. Senate 13 | P a g e