National Gender Policy Under Scrutiny

Oscar J. Jeke – Zim Now Reporter

The Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe has called for renewed focus on the Legal Justice and Constitutional Rights pillar of the country’s National Gender Policy, urging more effective action to ensure equitable access to justice for women and marginalized groups.

Speaking under the banners #Section56 and #LetsGo5050, the Coalition emphasised that this pillar is essential for realizing equal rights under Zimbabwe’s Constitution and for dismantling systemic barriers that hinder access to legal protections, particularly for survivors of gender-based violence.

“The pillar of Legal Justice and Constitutional Rights is crucial as it aims to ensure that women and marginalized groups have equal access to justice, legal protections, and their constitutional rights,” the Women’s Coalition said in a statement.

Zimbabwe’s government has made progress in ratifying and domesticating several regional and international instruments related to gender justice. According to a policy summary released by WCoZ, this includes decentralising the Legal Aid Directorate and High Courts, building more Magistrates’ Courts, and introducing a virtual court system under the Judicial Laws Amendment Act to broaden access to justice.

However, major challenges remain. These include cumbersome court procedures that require repeated appearances, long travel distances to courts, high legal costs, inadequate witness support, and low public awareness of legal rights. Survivors also struggle to access legal services due to a lack of resources or knowledge.

The National Gender Policy urges Zimbabwe to implement gender-responsive laws and improve legal literacy through national campaigns. It also recommends expanding survivor-centered criminal justice mechanisms and strengthening the judiciary’s capacity to deliver inclusive services at all levels.

The current push aligns with Section 56 of Zimbabwe’s Constitution, which guarantees the right to equality and non-discrimination. Civil society groups are now calling on the government to accelerate the implementation and funding of justice reforms that equitably serve all genders.