74 Zvobgo and Dziva/African Women’s Rights Protocol in Zimbabwe fairness and competition of aspiring candidates, and the right of the electorate to choose a candidate of their choice: all of which are temperate elements in modern democracy. Despite this exclusionary rhetoric, extant literature confirms how compulsory and voluntary national and party quotas have proved effective in addressing deep rooted challenges deterring women from political participation.76 Indeed, the CEDAW noted that the adoption of special measures aimed at accelerating de facto equality between men and women shall not be considered discrimination, as they are adopted in the good spirit of addressing the history of inequality.77 3.4 Practices by NGOs and civil society A major feature of political life involves civil society and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) in formulation and implementation of public policies the world over.78 The efforts have largely emphasised on mobilisation of support, advocacy, provision of resources, awareness raising, support and imparting of skills to women venturing in political and decision-making institutions. Organisations such as the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe, Women in Politics Support Unit, Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association and Women’s Trust have vast experience in advocating for women participation and representation in Zimbabwe, and have been utilising the Protocol and other African human rights instruments for this outcome. During the 2013 constitution-making process, the afore-mentioned organisations submitted position papers to the constitution-drafting team, calling for inclusion of clear cut provision for women participation in public life in accordance to the African Women’s Rights Protocol. In addition, civic organisations mobilised women at all levels of society to actively participate during consultative meetings to canvass people’s wishes in the constitution. These indubitable roles of civic organisations resulted in the adoption of a gender sensitive constitution. In the post constitution era, civic organisations have forged modest levels of cooperation with women activists, political parties and female candidates to advocate and lobby for women’s equal political participation and representation. Ahead of the 2013 elections, women’s rights organisations conducted a series of campaigns including the ‘Women Can Do it Campaign’79 and the 50/50 Campaign to encourage citizens to vote for female candidates during the 2013 elections. These platforms have provided women with opportunities for capacity building to wrestle for the reserved seats under the constitutional 76 Gender Links (n 14 above) 21. See article 4(1) of CEDAW. 78 J Bossuyt Involving non state actors and local governments in ACP-EU dialogue Policy Management Brief 13 European Centre for Development Policy Management, December 2000 http://ecdpm.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/PMB-13-InvolvingNon-State-Actors-Local-Governments-ACP-EU-Dialogue-2000.pdf (accessed 2 July 2017). 79 The Women Can Do It Campaign was funded by UNFEM through the Women’s Trust, a local NGO in Zimbabwe. 77