Mudimu, Leslie2021-03-222021-03-222020https://hdl.handle.net/10539/30762A research report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Development Studies, at the Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2020This research will unpack how the main opposition has internally responded to the national agenda of increasing political participation of women in Zimbabwe by answering the following questions; •What role has the MDC played in promoting the Parliamentary gender quota in Zimbabwe? •How has the MDC used the gender quota to harness and nurture female politicians? •What have been the party’s responses to the 2013 pro-gender constitutional reforms? •In what way has the progression of women in the party been stimulated, supported or undermined? These questions are answered through an analysis of MDC practices in promoting women as members of parliament and the experience of women in the party. This research was conducted through an analysis of electoral documents, party policies and information gathered through in-depth interviews with some party members and political experts as key informantsenThesis