Times Of Swaziland: ... LESS WOMEN SPEAK

... LESS WOMEN SPEAK
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BY NTOMBI MHLONGO on 26/10/2018 01:57:00


LUDZIDZINI – The few women who attended the People’s Parliament yesterday
felt left out on countless times.
This is because they felt that their male counterparts were being offered the
microphone more than them.
Directing the proceedings was Attorney General Sifiso Khumalo, who the women
accused of always looking on the side where the males were seated every time
after announcing that it was time for people to make submissions.
Format
The format used by the AG as he directed the proceedings was in such a way that
the esteemed speakers would first make their presentations on the topic  of the
day after which three people would be pointed at to pose questions or have a say
on the issues raised.
One woman was heard shouting that she did not see the need of being in the
Cattle Byre when she was not being given the chance to speak.
“Ngani akasibuki tsine. Manje sitokwentani lapha. Kuncono umuntfu avele
ahambe,” the woman shouted meaning; ‘How come he does not look to our
direction. So why are we here? Perhaps it is better to leave’.
When interviewed, some of the women said they felt let down as they were of the
view that they also had good ideas to share with the nation.
“What I noted was that even the few women who were pointed at, the AG did not
allow them to say everything they wanted. Yes, some of them did stray from the
topic at hand but we all deserve to have our voices heard,” she said.
It should be noted, however, that even on the male side, there were incidents
where it became a battle of the fittest to get the microphone.
This saw those who were eager to make submissions moving to the front row where
they competed with their hands to get Khumalo’s attention.