Women in Zimbabwe, together with gender advocacy organisations, have strongly opposed a proposal to abolish the Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) and transfer its functions to the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC), warning that the move could weaken institutional protections for gender equality.
The proposal which is contained in the Constitutional Amendment Bill, No.3 is expected to undergo public consultations and debate in Parliament before any changes are adopted.
Women’s rights groups say the proposal has so far been met with widespread resistance from women across the country who fear that removing a dedicated gender oversight body could reverse progress made in addressing gender inequalities.
The Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association (ZWLA) and Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA) said dissolving the Gender Commission would undermine Zimbabwe’s constitutional commitment to gender equality.
“The commission has served as a complaints mechanism for victims of gender discrimination and a monitor of compliance with gender equality laws. Its dissolution will create a protection vacuum for the most vulnerable members of society,” the organisations said.
ZWLA further warned that abolishing the commission could erode the institutional framework created to safeguard women’s rights.
It noted that the Gender Commission was established under the Constitution to ensure oversight and accountability on gender equality issues that still require dedicated institutional focus.
“Gender equality requires a specialised institution with focused expertise and accountability mechanisms. Absorbing its mandate into a commission with a broader human rights portfolio risks diluting attention to gender-specific concerns,” the association said.
Commenting on the proposal, the Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, Tatenda Mavetera, said she does not support the proposed abolition of the commission.
Speaking in her personal capacity, Mavetera said the Gender Commission should instead be strengthened.
“Personally, I am not on board with the clause proposing to abolish the Gender Commission. Instead, I believe we should strengthen it further. The Gender Commission is a vital watchdog on gender issues that affect all Zimbabweans, both men and women,” she said.
Minister Mavetera also clarified that the ZANU PF Women’s League did not support the abolition of the commission.
According to the minister, the Women’s League, led by Senate President and secretary for women’s affairs Mabel Chinomona, has consistently championed women’s empowerment.
She added that, even the Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa, also does not support the proposed clause.
“Her entire ministry is dedicated to strengthening the very fabric of gender equality and she does not back any move that would weaken the institutional framework we have built,” Mavetera said.
Political activists, including former legislator Fadzayi Mahere and president of Labour, Economists and African Democrats (LEAD), Linda Masarira, also criticised the proposal, describing it as a step backward in the fight for gender justice.
Masarira said abolishing the Gender Commission would undermine Zimbabwe’s constitutional commitments and international obligations on gender equality.
“The proposed abolishment of the Zimbabwe Gender Commission and its relocation under the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission is not merely an administrative adjustment; it is a regressive political act,” she said.
Mahere also accused ZANU PF of failing women by seeking to dismantle, rather than strengthen, the institution.
Generally, stakeholders said dissolving the commission could weaken targeted accountability mechanisms designed to advance gender justice.
The proposed amendment will now be subjected to parliamentary debate and nationwide public consultations before a final decision is made.
