Times Of Swaziland: Another woman in pants stopped from nominating

Another woman in pants stopped from nominating
================================================================================
BY KWANELE DHLADHLA on 06/08/2013 03:26:00


MBABANE – It has been revealed that another woman was refused permission to
nominate a candidate at Mhlangatane constituency because she was not dressed
properly.
Fakazile Luhlanga of Ndvwabangeni was also not allowed permission to nominate as
she was wearing cargo pants.
She related that she raised a hand with the intention to nominate, but the
presiding officer said she would not be given a chance to participate because of
her dress code.
Luhlanga said she was told that she was dressed like a man and would be a bad
influence to the community members as they would emulate her.
In an earlier interview with this publication acting Ludzidzini Governor TV
Mtetwa said chiefs had no right to prescribe a dress code for the public.
The governor was responding to statements made by Mpolonjeni Chief Petros Dvuba
who had warned members of the public that they should respect imiphakatsi and
dress accordingly.
Elections and Boundaries Commission Vice Chairman, Mzwandile Fakudze, when asked
to comment on the matter said he was yet to consult with the cited presiding
officers of the on what really transpired?
Luhlanga’s experience comes after another 18-year-old female was disqualified
from running for the Member of Parliament (MP) category during the nominations
at Lubulini for wearing a pair of trousers.
On the other hand, the disqualification of the 18- year old Mana Mavi-mbela was
a gross violation of her constitutional right, according to Human Rights lawyer
Mandla Mkhwa-nazi.
The lawyer said the presiding officer had infringed upon Mavimbela’s rights.
Mkhwanazi said the country’s constitution did not discriminate on an
individual based on dress code.
Mavimbela was nominated under her chiefdom at Lusabeni for the position of
Member of Parliament but was refused permission by the presiding officer.
Upon her nomination, Lindiwe Sukati who was the presiding officer was heard
talking to the electorates that a person dressed like Mavimbela was not
acceptable at the Royal Kraal, hence she was disqualified.
Mavimbela expressed her displeasure with the decision of the presiding officer
stating that she had intentions to develop her community which was lacking in
other areas.
It’s discrimination - Young Women
MBABANE – The Swa-ziland Young Women’s Network (SYWON) says Swaziland is far
from graduating to the first world status if pants and miniskirts are considered
to be burning issues.
National Coordinator Hleli Luhlanga said Swaziland had formulated a Youth and
Gender Policy and the Constitution itself whereby there is no provision that
states that a person should be discriminated against based on their dress code.
Luhlanga said the issue of the dress code was injustice used by patriarchal
people to show their power. “Pants are used as a basis of discrimination by
the above mentioned people,” the fuming Luhlanga said.
She highlighted the discrimination of women based on their dress code in
Parliament where women without a headscarf cannot participate in parliament
sessions.
“There are a number of burning issues that should be tackled by the country
but instead legislators choose to focus on other issues of no interest,” she
said.
Luhlanga said there were still a number of barriers that needed to be addressed
that affected women in the country.