ZIMBABWE Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) joins the global community in commemorating International Women’s Day, a moment to reflect on the progress made towards gender equality and to renew our collective commitment to advancing the rights, dignity, and freedoms of women and girls.
This day provides an important opportunity to reaffirm and amplify our shared determination to promote and protect the rights and empowerment of all women and girls.
This year’s theme, “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,” is both timely and imperative as women’s rights continue to face regression and remain under threat in many contexts. The commemorations therefore serve as an important opportunity for society to reflect on critical issues such as gender equality, access to justice, and equal protection before the law for all women and girls.
The theme further reinforces the call for government institutions, civil society, and individuals to contribute meaningfully towards the full realisation of the rights and freedoms of all women and girls. In this regard, ZLHR extends its solidarity and support to Zimbabwe’s women human rights defenders (WHRDs), who continue to promote and protect human rights despite facing distinct gender-based threats, including violence, stigmatisation, and misogynistic attacks. Many of these WHRDs encounter barriers in accessing justice, reparations, and gender-responsive protection mechanisms, and are often denied equal treatment before the law.
ZLHR is concerned by proposals that seek to remove or weaken institutions established to safeguard gender equality, including the Zimbabwe Gender Commission. Such proposals are antithetical to the letter and spirit of the Constitution and threaten the progress that has been made in advancing gender justice and accountability. Moreover, they risk placing Zimbabwe in breach of its international and regional obligations under the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol), and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) which require States Parties to establish and maintain independent institutions dedicated to promoting and protecting gender equality.
At a time when the protection of women’s rights remains an urgent national priority, it is essential to strengthen rather than weaken institutions mandated to safeguard equality and uphold the rights of women and girls. ZLHR reiterates that the protection and advancement of women’s rights is not merely a moral imperative but a constitutional obligation. In this regard, the government should take meaningful steps to guarantee “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls”.
ZLHR further urges Zimbabwean authorities to take positive and comprehensive measures aimed at improving the welfare of all women and girls in the country.
In light of the foregoing, ZLHR calls on the government of Zimbabwe to:
- Fully comply with its obligations under the Constitution of Zimbabwe to protect and promote the rights of women and girls, and to honour its international and regional commitments under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol);
- Abandon any proposed constitutional amendments that would erode or undermine the rights of women, and ensure the retention and strengthening of the mandate and functions of the Zimbabwe Gender Commission;
- Take heed of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa’s recommendations under the Maputo Protocol concerning Zimbabwe, particularly on promoting equality, non-discrimination, and access to justice for women and girls;
- Demonstrate Zimbabwe’s commitment to eliminating all forms of gender-based violence by promptly ratifying the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Girls (the “Maputo Protocol on Violence Against Women”).
ENDS
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights
Kodzero/Amalungelo House
No. 103 Sam Nujoma Street, Harare, Zimbabwe
Phone: (+263 8677005347, +263 242 764085/705370/708118
Email: info@zlhr.org
www.zlhr.org.zw
FOLLOW US:@ZLHRLAWYERS ON X| ZIMBABWE LAWYERS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
ON FACEBOOK
