Dennis Ndlovu and Sithembinkosi L Jiyane
The Zimbabwe Gender Commission convened its 2025 Provincial Gender Forum on Thursday, 17 July 2025, at St Mary’s Cathedral in Bulawayo. The gathering provided a platform for stakeholders to engage on issues aligned with the Commission’s constitutional mandate, focusing on gender equality, empowerment, and accountability in policy and practice.
This year Zimbabwe Gender Commission forum is themed ZGC at 10: Reflecting on Achievements and the Future for Gender Equality in Zimbabwe. This served as a platform to evaluate the progress made in the realm of gender equality over the past decade.
The importance of the Provincial Gender Forums as integral precursors to the National Gender Forum, held annually to discuss issues pertinent to the Commission’s mandate as stipulated in the Zimbabwe Gender Commission Act.
Highlighting the objectives of the gathering, commissioner Mukahanana Sangarwe
said, “This year’s forum is being held with specific goals: to reflect on achievements, identify emerging priorities for gender equality, and catalyze actionable dialogue.”
The Commissioner took attendees on a historical journey, recounting how the ZGC came into existence after widespread consultations during the drafting of the National Constitution revealed the urgent need for an independent body dedicated to addressing gender-related issues. “This call led to the establishment of the Zimbabwe Gender Commission as a key player in supporting democracy,” he elaborated.
Since its operational launch in 2015, the ZGC has undertaken several crucial responsibilities, including monitoring gender equality, investigating rights violations, and advising institutions on steps to promote gender equality. In his remarks, Mukahanana-Sangarwe noted significant milestones achieved by the Commission.
“We have held institutions accountable through rigorous monitoring of gender equality compliance across sectors,” he stated, adding that there has been notable progress towards achieving a better gender balance in leadership roles.
The Commissioner highlighted the ZGC’s strides in improving reporting mechanisms, mentioning the establishment of a dedicated Call Centre for gender-related complaints.
“This operationalization has significantly improved case documentation and response rates,” he remarked.
According to the commissioner one standout effort was the National Inquiry on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of Young Girls and Child Marriages in 2022, which exposed systemic vulnerabilities and prompted legal reforms.
Reflecting on collaboration with key stakeholders, Mukahanana-Sangarwe announced.
“We have formulated policy recommendations targeting the elimination of gender inequalities and dismantling systemic barriers.” He emphasized that the journey towards gender equity is ongoing but noted the meaningful change driven by strategic engagements and national dialogues.
Among the successes cited were initiatives aimed at empowering women politically, particularly through the Women Rise in Politics Programme, which equips aspiring female leaders with essential campaign skills.
“These efforts have shattered longstanding barriers to women’s participation in governance,” declared the Commissioner.
Over the past decade, the ZGC has received and handled over 4,000 cases of gender-based complaints, underscoring the urgency of addressing issues such as land disputes, discrimination, and sexual violence.
“Sexual harassment remains the most frequently reported violation,” Sangarwe stressed, highlighting the need for continued advocacy against such pervasive issues.
In a significant announcement, the Commissioner revealed that the ZGC now has permanent headquarters in Harare, aptly named “The House of Gender Equality.” He remarked, “This building symbolizes our commitment to making gender equality a national priority.”
While celebrating these collective achievements, Sangarwe urged stakeholders to recognize the persistent gaps that hinder progress.
“Women still face systemic barriers at every turn,” he lamented, citing challenges related to justice systems, economic exclusion, and the burden of unpaid care work.
He called attention to the alarming prevalence of gender-based violence, stating,
“These are interconnected barriers that hold back our nation’s full potential.”
As Zimbabwe prepares to transition from its National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) to NDS2, the Commissioner described this as a pivotal moment to embed gender equality into the national agenda.
“This platform offers a critical opportunity to gather insights on gender priorities for the next decade,” he urged attendees, encouraging them to share their voices and concerns.
Rev Dr Elitha Moyo, ELCA Regional Representative for Gender Justice and Program, has urged for the inclusion of women in decision-making processes, particularly in matters that directly affect families and communities, emphasized that women deserve a place in spaces where key issues are discussed. “Too often, men are the ones who stand in front of us, speaking on our behalf,” she said, highlighting the need to break traditional barriers and allow women to speak for themselves.
She pointed out that some men attempt to describe experiences such as pregnancy pain, something they have never endured themselves, further illustrating the need for women to represent themselves. “Women must represent themselves in such matters because they are the ones who truly understand what they go through,” said Dr Moyo.
Turning to disaster response and humanitarian aid, Dr Moyo called for gender-sensitive and inclusive recovery strategies. She noted that women and girls are the most affected during disasters, yet their specific needs, such as menstrual hygiene and sanitary products, are often overlooked. “These basic needs should be addressed in every disaster intervention,” she stressed, adding that relief efforts must ensure access to resources and programs that support women’s recovery and economic rehabilitation.
She concluded by calling for strong and inclusive leadership to drive the National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security. Dr Moyo urged collaboration among government ministries, security sectors, Chapter 12 commissions, civil society, faith-based groups, and organizations for people with disabilities. “I hope all these institutions will participate… so that no one can later claim they were not informed,” she said.
Bekezela Dube of NUST FM has raised concern over the impact of cultural and religious practices on gender equality in technology access. Speaking during a recent discussion on gender and digital inclusion, she highlighted how certain faith-based institutions continue to perpetuate discrimination. “There are some churches which contribute to gender discrimination through not allowing their girl child to access technological gadgets,” Dube said, underscoring how such restrictions hinder the digital empowerment of young girls.
She also suggested that the Zimbabwe Gender Commission consider creating volunteer opportunities for unemployed graduates. “ZGC could allow graduates who don’t have jobs to volunteer in programs related to gender-based violence. This would help spread awareness while also giving the graduates practical experience,” Dube proposed, pointing to the dual benefit of capacity building and community engagement.
The 2025 Provincial Gender Forum, led by the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, served as a crucial opportunity to assess the nation’s progress on gender equality and chart the way forward. Speakers like Rev Dr Elitha Moyo stressed the importance of involving women in key decision-making spaces and ensuring their needs are prioritized in disaster responses, while Bekezela Dube highlighted the role of cultural and religious norms in limiting women’s access to technology. As Zimbabwe advances with its National Development Strategy 2, it is vital that gender equality stays at the forefront, backed by collaborative efforts and strong institutional support.
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