The recent conclusion of the 69th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) in New York, marked by a ground-breaking political declaration on gender equality, presents a critical moment to examine Zimbabwe's trajectory in advancing women's rights and gender parity. The adoption of the political declaration, emphasising the essential nature of women's empowerment for sustainable development, serves as a mirror reflecting Zimbabwe's own strides and shortcomings in achieving gender parity.
Zimbabwe's constitutional architecture, particularly through section 56(3) which explicitly states that "Every person has the right not to be treated in an unfairly discriminatory manner on such grounds as...gender," establishes a formidable foundation for gender equality. This constitutional commitment is further reinforced by section 80, which specifically enshrines women's rights and section 17, which mandates gender balance in all spheres of society. However, as highlighted during CSW69 discussions, the gap between legislative frameworks and practical implementation remains a pressing concern across nations, including Zimbabwe.
The resonance of one participant's observation at CSW69 that "When women lead, progress follows" finds particular relevance in Zimbabwe's context. Senator Monica Mutsvangwa's celebration of minister Kirsty Coventry's groundbreaking achievement as the first female African president of the International Olympic Committee exemplifies the potential for women's leadership. Yet, this progress must be contextualised against the broader backdrop of persistent challenges in political representation. This achievement, coupled with the quota system in Parliament that has increased women's representation to 31% in the National Assembly, demonstrates tangible progress. Despite Zimbabwe's commitment to the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) Protocol on Gender and Development, which calls for 50% women's representation in decision-making positions, the country's current Parliament falls short of meeting this target.
The intersection of international conventions and domestic implementation reveals both opportunities and challenges. Zimbabwe's ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol) demonstrates commitment to international standards. However, as noted by women's rights organisations, the domestication of these instruments remains incomplete. The Zimbabwe Gender Commission's 2022 report emphasises that "traditional practices and societal attitudes continue to undermine the effectiveness of legal protections."
Economic empowerment remains a critical frontier in the fight for gender equality. The Women's Empowerment Bank, established to provide financial inclusion for women entrepreneurs, represents a positive step. However, as one CSW69 participant pointedly observed, "For 20 years, the gender gap in labour force participation has remained stagnant." This stagnation is particularly acute in Zimbabwe, where women constitute the majority of informal traders but remain underrepresented in formal economic structures.
The emergence of new challenges, particularly in the digital sphere, adds another layer of complexity. CSW69's emphasis on how "emerging technologies promise equality but are weaponised against women and girls" reflects a growing concern in Zimbabwe, where cyber harassment and online violence against women in public spaces have increased. The Cyber Security and Data Protection Act of 2021, while progressive, requires stronger enforcement mechanisms to protect women in digital spaces.
Traditional practices and societal attitudes continue to pose significant obstacles. The Domestic Violence Act of 2007 marked a crucial step forward but implementation remains hampered by cultural norms and limited resources. The Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association reports that gender-based violence cases have increased, particularly during economic downturns and the recent global health crisis.
To bridge these gaps and accelerate progress towards gender equality, Zimbabwe must pursue a robust approach. In this regard, the strengthening of enforcement mechanisms for existing legislation is crucial. This includes empowering the Zimbabwe Gender Commission with enhanced investigative powers and resources to address discrimination effectively. Again, the implementation of gender-responsive budgeting across all government departments, as mandated by section 17 of the Constitution, must move beyond policy to practice.
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Economic transformation requires targeted interventions. The expansion of the Women's Empowerment Bank's capacity, coupled with mentorship programmes and business development support, can help to address the economic marginalisation of women. The recent introduction of the Women's Microfinance Bank demonstrates potential, but its impact must be amplified through increased capitalisation and broader outreach.
Educational reforms present another crucial pathway. The updating of curriculum frameworks to challenge gender stereotypes, combined with programmes to increase girls' participation in STEM fields, can help to break traditional barriers. As noted in the CSW69 declaration, education remains a fundamental tool for challenging discriminatory social norms.
Zimbabwe's commitment to gender equality must translate to concrete action plans with measurable outcomes.
This includes establishing clear time lines for achieving gender parity in political representation, implementing comprehensive programmes to address gender-based violence and creating economic opportunities for women in emerging sectors.
The journey towards gender equality requires sustained commitment from all stakeholders such as government, civil society, private sector and international partners. As Zimbabwe aligns its national frameworks with global commitments made at forums like CSW69, the focus must remain on translating these commitments to tangible improvements in women's lives. Only through such comprehensive and sustained efforts can Zimbabwe truly realise the vision of gender equality enshrined in its Constitution and affirmed through its international commitments.
