Not yet Uhuru for women . . .
WOMEN’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ), a nonpartisan national network of women’s rights organisations and activists striving for the rights of women and girls commemorates Independence Day, honouring the efforts of the gallant women who fought together with the men, at the frontline of the liberation struggle.
We salute you
Looking back at the journey of women’s rights and independence in Zimbabwe, WCoZ commends the Republic of Zimbabwe for establishing a gender implementing machinery anchored by a legislative and policy framework for advancing the rights of women, such as the, Legal Age Majority Act (LAMA), signing without reservation the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), signing the Protocol to the African Charter on the Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa. WCoZ commends the Republic’s efforts towards constitutionally guaranteeing the rights of women in the Constitution of Zimbabwe,in pursuit of women’s independence and empowerment, more specifically sections 17, 56, 71, 78 80, 85 and section 245.
Yet despite these milestones, it’s not yet “uhuru” for the women and girls of Zimbabwe. Fortytwo years on, women and girls in Zimbabwe, continue to grapple with a context where they are persistently victims of social, political and economic injustices. For example,despite the enactment of the Domestic Violence Act, cases of violence against women and girls continue to increase, as women and girls continue to experience physical, sexual, psychological and emotional abuse from family members and intimate partners.
On the one hand, cases of child marriages have increased during COVID-19, while on the other hand, the Marriages Bill “which seeks to criminalise child marriages”, is yet to be assented into law, since its gazetting in 2019.
From the economic front, the majority of women in Zimbabwe have become economically vulnerable, compounded by the adverse socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. On the political field, women participation as candidates in electoral processes continue to decline as exposed by the recent March 26 by-elections. the reality is that women in Zimbabwe remain under-represented in governance positions despite making up over 52% of the population.
therefore, as WCoZ joins hands with the rest of the nation in celebrating Independence Day, we bring under spotlight the reality of the state of women and girls in Zimbabwe. We, therefore, say: “Happy Independence Day Zimbabwe”, at the same time imploring the nation to carefully consider the meaning of independence from a place where women and girls in Zimbabwe stand.
For us, independence means women centred economic growth. It means financial autonomy. For the women of Zimbabwe, independence means having bodily autonomy and integrity, free of violence. It means gender parity and equal representation in governance. It means a seat at the table where decisions affecting us are made.
Independence means access to adequate healthcare and maternal services. It means non-discrimination on the basis of marital status, gender, sexual orientation and ability. For WCoZ, independence means a society where women and girls fully enjoy their rights.
WCoZ, therefore, calls upon the Republic, leadership and stakeholders,on this 42nd Independence Day to spare a thought for the plight of women and girls in Zimbabwe. WCoZ continues to fight for gender equality in all spheres and remain committed to ensuring that one day,women and girls in Zimbabwe will fully enjoy.