One in Nine Election Strategy Meeting

Monday the 25^th of August I attended the One in Nine general elections strategy meeting in Cape Town.  The purpose of the meeting was to come up with suggestions on how One in Nine would examine the elections set for April 2009 and to propose different activities. 

The One in Nine campaign was established in 2006 as a result of the Jacob Zuma rape case. The women (and men) involved in the campaign sang daily outside of court during the trial showing their solidarity to Khwezi.

The decision to engage in the 2009 general elections by One in Nine is not influenced by Zuma being a runner up in the general elections.  Regardless of who the presidential candidate would have been; the meeting would still have taken place. However, him contesting for the presidency does have an effect on feminists, especially those who feel they have loyalty towards the ANC.  There is reluctance to vote among these feminists because of some practices by the man i.e. polygamy.  This has patriarchy written all over it.

The One in Nine's examination of the elections would be more of a "watchdog" role making certain that women's rights are acknowledged and shaped by the candidates. This will be done in various ways including analyzing statements made by political leaders during the election period.

Activities by the One in Nine should be expected pre and post the election period.  It should be clear that the intention is not to be against the elections but to seek what is best for women.