Zimbabwe Gender Commission

The Zimbabwe Gender Commission was established in terms of Section 245 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe and operationalized through the Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) Act (Chapter 10:31). The commission seeks to foster gender equality.

Background

During the nationwide consultative processes of drafting the National Constitution, the constant resurgence of gender-related issues reflected a glaring need for the establishment of an independent institution to specifically look into gender issues. This then birthed the Commission, as one of Chapter 12 Independent Commissions supporting democracy whose objectives are set out in Section 233 of the constitution as:

To support and entrench human rights and democracy;
To protect the sovereignty and interests of the people;
To promote constitutionalism;
To promote transparency and accountability in public institutions;
To secure the observance of democratic values and principles by the State and all institutions and agencies of government,
and government-controlled entities; and
To ensure that injustices are remedied.

The Commission’s Mandate

The specific mandate of the Commission is derived from Section 246 of the Constitution whose provisions are listed as follows:

to monitor issues concerning gender equality and to ensure gender equality as provided for in the Constitution;
to investigate possible violations of rights relating to gender equality;
to receive and consider complaints from the public and to take such action in regard to the complaints as it considers appropriate;
to conduct research into issues relating to gender and social justice and to recommend changes to laws and practices which lead to discrimination based on gender;
to advise public and private institutions on steps to be taken to ensure gender equality;
to recommend affirmative action programmes to achieve gender equality;
to recommend prosecution for criminal violations of rights relating to gender;
to secure appropriate redress where rights relating to gender have been violated; and
to do everything necessary to promote gender equality

Vision

A just society that enjoys gender equality.

Mission

To promote and protect gender equality through public education, research, investigations and monitoring.

The Strategic Goals are anchored on the Commission’s constitutional mandate and obligation. These strategic goals are:

To enhance public awareness on gender issues in all provinces;
To investigate and provide redress to all reported cases of violations of rights related to gender;
To reduce systemic barriers to gender equality;
To create a functional knowledge hub and available knowledge products on gender equality;
To enhance compliance with all gender equality provisions in the constitution, laws and policies; and
To create an effective, efficient and visible Gender Commission