Women in power: don’t miss the transition’s train

At the time of the first Maputo meeting, there has been no woman there. From this report the Women’s Grouping which militates for parity in politics, is reacting. “We encourage dialog for a solution to the crisis, we’d like 30% of all decision making positions to be granted to women “, claimed Amelie Razafinjato. 

Since the setting up of the de facto transition by Andry Rajoelina, women have not been particularly more involved in politics. Only three members of the HAT and a couple of acting ministers in charge of portfolios usually reserved to women, namely Justice and Population, are the odd ones. “Parity has to be considered as a principle in the role distribution”, said Ialfine Papisy. 

For Mireille Rabenoro, “if there are no many women in the transition’s regime, parity won’t be implemented when the new republic will be structured”. She also entrusted that the VMLF Grouping (Vondrona Miralenta ho an’ny Fampandrosoana) is providing training to women eventually interested as candidates by elections, as well as coaching on responsibility. 

The militants for parity are doing far better than defending their ideas. “We are proposing lists of women endowed with expertises likely to cope with high profile responsibilities”, explained Mireille Rabenoro. A list is being proposed to each of the different political mobilities. The VMLF is gathering women from differently oriented political sides. 

Mireille Rabenoro, coordinator of the VMLF, is concerned about the economic and social impacts of the crisis. The whole Malagasy people hopes for a solution from Maputo, “she said. She is, although, warning against consequences and imminent sanctions as the end of the eligibility to the AGOA. “80% of the tax free corporation workers are women, they are on the verge of loosing their job, let alone the impact that such can generate on family lives”, she said worryingly. 

During the year 2009 political crisis, some female militants have been noticed in Marc Ravalomanana camp whereas women had only been required to enlarge the TGV ranks. At one moment, they were going to serve as human shield in the attempt to conquer ministries. 

Ihanta Randriamandranto, the legalistic women’s leader sent behind bars to put an end to her numerous political demonstrations, is the symbol of this female struggle. She should appear among the Ravalomanana mobility’s figures to integrate the institutions of the new consensual and inclusive transition. It would be a well deserved reward for the women’s fight.