Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka, Herald Correspondent
THE Women’s Parliamentary Caucus has called for a comprehensive review of women’s and children’s rights, with a strong emphasis on lobbying for the formulation of a gender equality law.
The call to action followed an engagement workshop held on Wednesday, facilitated by the Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association (ZWLA) and attended by key organisations including Musasa Project, Women and Land and the Adult Rape Clinic.
Speaking after the workshop, ZWLA director Ms Abigail Matsvayi described the event as pivotal in equipping women parliamentarians with knowledge of existing laws affecting women and children, particularly in the fight against child marriages.
“We engaged with the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus to discuss the challenges and opportunities related to women’s and children’s rights,” said Ms Matsvayi.
“Zimbabwe has signed international and regional instruments that protect these rights, but we need to address the gaps to ensure full implementation.”
She highlighted the importance of the Maputo Protocol, a regional instrument focusing on the rights of women and children, and Zimbabwe’s recent report on its progress in implementing the protocol.
“The Maputo Protocol provides a framework for protecting women and children’s rights. The discussions we had highlighted areas that need attention, such as the formulation of a gender equality law to ensure equal opportunities for men and women,” she said.
Ms Matsvayi stressed that while the Constitution provides for gender equality, there is a need for supportive legislation that clearly outlines equality provisions, enforcement mechanisms and penalties for non-compliance.
“For true gender equality, we need a law that guarantees equal opportunities in every sector. This law would ensure equality is not just a constitutional principle but a practical reality, with clear guidelines for implementation and accountability,” she added.
The workshop also addressed the challenges faced by survivors of gender-based violence, particularly the lack of accessible justice.
Women’s Parliamentary Caucus chairperson, Maybe Mbohwa, reiterated the importance of parliamentarians in advocating for gender equality and protecting women’s and children’s rights.
“Women parliamentarians are the voice of the electorate. To effectively advocate for gender issues, we need to be well-informed and equipped with knowledge about the challenges facing women and girls in Zimbabwe,” she said.
She also called for the enforcement of the Marriages Act, which seeks to protect women and girls, and stressed the importance of collaboration in promoting gender equality and accountability.
The Women’s Affairs, Community, and SMEs Development Committee chairperson, legislator Getrude Mutandi, described the workshop as an eye-opener, particularly regarding legislative gaps that hinder women’s access to justice.
“It is crucial to engage the Minister of Justice to address logistical and technical barriers that prevent rape survivors from accessing justice,” she said.
