Online Reporter
Muchaneta Chimuka
The Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ), in partnership with Government ministries and development partners, has launched the 2026 State of Women Report during its Annual Women’s Summit in Harare.
Held under the theme, “Voice, Power, Lead”, the summit brought together stakeholders to assess progress in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in Zimbabwe.
Speaking at the event, WCoZ chairperson Mrs Cynthia Muchanyara-Mukamuri said the theme reflects a shared commitment to promoting gender equality and ensuring that the rights, dignity and aspirations of every woman and girl remain central to Zimbabwe’s national development agenda.
“This summit is far more than an annual gathering. It is a space where women come together to reflect honestly on our realities, celebrate our collective achievements, challenge the systems that continue to marginalise us, and imagine new possibilities for a more just and inclusive Zimbabwe,” she said.
“It is a space where lived experiences meet evidence, where solidarity becomes strategy, and where our collective voice is transformed into meaningful action.”
She said the programme is very important because the 2026 State of Women Report, Zimbabwe’s flagship independent assessment of the status of women’s rights and gender equality.
“Building on the foundation laid by the inaugural 2025 report, this year’s edition moves beyond establishing a baseline to asking a more important question: What has changed?
“It measures progress, identifies implementation gaps and challenges all of us – government, parliament, constitutional commissions, civil society, development partners, the private sector and communities to move from commitments on paper to tangible improvements in the lives of women and girls.
“The report reminds us that while Zimbabwe has made important commitments through the Constitution, the National Gender Policy (2025–2030), National Development Strategy 2, Vision 2030 and regional and international human rights instruments, many women continue to face barriers to economic justice, leadership, access to quality healthcare, education, freedom from violence and equal participation in decision-making.
“These challenges are even more pronounced for rural women, young women, women with disabilities, indigenous women and other women facing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination.”
She expressed some of the setbacks that are affecting women’s progress, which range from shrinking civic space, economic uncertainty, and changing development financing, which requires them to rethink how they can organize, collaborate and sustain their movements.
“As the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe, we remain committed to amplifying women’s voices, strengthening feminist leadership and holding duty-bearers accountable for delivering on the promises they have made.”
“But accountability is not the responsibility of one institution alone. It requires all of us to play our part.”
Theresa Mugaza, Gender and Legal Expert, encouraged women to fully engage to help build a Zimbabwe where every woman and every girl can realise her full potential.
Zanu – PF Midlands Proportional Representative, Honorable Perseverance Zhou, encouraged women and communities at large to assist the elderly people who are often stigmatised due to mental health.
“Dementia is really and is affecting many people, especially the aged, and we have heard stories in the media when they are labelled witches and beaten for no reason. Communities should understand the disease and offer the utmost support,” she said.
