The Zimbabwe NAP for the implementation of UNSCR1325 and related Resolutions recognizes the efforts that are already in existence and is therefore packaged within policies and programmes implemented by Government Ministries, Development Partners and Civil Society Organisations. The NAP acknowledges high prevalence of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Zimbabwe which threaten the security of women and girls and proposes priorities and actions for tackling it. Juxtaposed to this, the Government working with the United Nations and other stakeholders dedicates substantial space to women‘s Political Participation and Decision making. The Ministry launched the women in Politics and Decision Making Strategy which has an action plan which fully articulates the efforts that Government is doing and intends to carry forward the national aspiration for gender balance across all sectors as espoused in the Constitution. The NAP for R1325 raises issues of peace and security at community level and a Peace and Reconciliation Commission was established to deal with past and future issues. It has established peace committees and early warning systems at community level and a Gender and Diversity thematic area which is working on most of the issues raised in the NAP. The Ministry developed a costed NAP on ending Child Marriage but has not been fully funded to implement its provisions. The coming in of the NAP for R1325 is hoped to bring financial support to Anti-Child Marriage Campaign under its prevention pillar. This same is expected in the establishment of One Stop Centres and Safe Shelters for GBV Survivors. The NAP also recognizes the efforts that Zimbabwe is already doing through the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Zimbabwe Correctional and Prisons Services ZCPS, in observing the importance of gender equality in recruitment, promotion and the deployment of peace contingencies to various missions.
Gender equality policies/feminist foreign policies
The ILO Convention 190 of 2019; the Convention on Elimination of all forms of discrimination against Women (CEDAW);
The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol) and the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development.
SDG 5 & 8; Beijing Platform for Action
The Constitution of Zimbabwe; It addresses gender discrimination:
- Section 3 gender equality is a founding value
- Section 17 – Gender Balance
- Section 50 – Right to personal security
- Section 51 right to human dignity
- Section 56 – right to equality and non-discrimination
- Section 65 – Labour Rights
- Section 80 – Specific rights of women
The Domestic Violence Act [Chapter 5:16] (DVA).
Focal Point
Mrs. Junior Muchuchu – Gender Officer, Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development