As the Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) commemorates its 10th anniversary, it offers the nation more than a symbolic milestone—it provides a moment for deep reflection, assessment, and rededication to the mission of gender equality. Established under Section 245 of the 2013 Constitution and operationalized through the ZGC Act (Chapter 10:31) in 2016, the Commission has emerged as a cornerstone institution in Zimbabwe’s democracy architecture, one that confronts structural gender imbalances while promoting inclusion, justice, and equity.
The journey of ZGC has been both inspiring and instructive. From its official launch in September 2015, the Commission has transitioned from a nascent body with only two support staff to a vibrant institution employing 114 personnel, supported by a total establishment of 213. It has expanded its physical presence to six provinces, improving access to services and facilitating engagement with communities across Zimbabwe. This decentralization effort is pivotal in bridging the policy-practice gap that often undermines the impact of progressive legislation on the ground.
A closer examination of ZGC’s evolution reveals the vital role played by its inaugural commissioners—eight visionaries whose collective expertise in law, health, religion, public administration, traditional leadership, gender advocacy, and governance laid the institutional groundwork. Figures like Mrs. Margaret Mukahanana-Sangarwe, the founding Chairperson, oversaw the Commission’s initial setup, while individuals such as Dr. Paul Kadzima and Chief Peter Mawonera bridged the crucial space between policy and community norms. Their leadership enabled ZGC to engage at both national and grassroots levels, where the contestation for gender equity is often most pronounced.
Yet, the strength of ZGC does not lie solely in its personnel. It lies in its ability to translate constitutional provisions—such as Sections 17, 56, and 80—into lived realities. Its achievements in the past decade reflect strategic interventions across multiple domains. Among these, the establishment of a national Call Centre has revolutionized accessibility for citizens reporting gender-based violations, while national inquiries into issues like child marriage and sexual exploitation have exposed systemic vulnerabilities. These efforts have informed tangible policy reforms and recalibrated public discourse.
The Commission’s Women Rise in Politics Programme has borne meaningful fruit, particularly in the 2023 elections where several women equipped through ZGC initiatives contested and succeeded. Its annual National Gender Forums have provided a platform for sustained multi-sector dialogue, while its gender audits of political parties and public institutions have created a foundation for accountability in representation. These interventions underscore ZGC’s dual commitment—to catalyzing systemic reform and creating enabling environments for individual agency.
However, progress has not come without formidable challenges. Budget constraints continue to cripple planned programming, a reminder of the friction between policy aspiration and resource prioritization. Structural patriarchy, entrenched especially in rural settings, restricts women’s access to land, economic assets, and decision-making spaces. Despite advances in digitalization, only 22% of women in remote areas access online GBV-related services—underscoring the stark digital gender divide. The electoral system itself remains a critical barrier to equitable representation, reinforcing male dominance in political leadership.
These challenges demand a multidimensional response, and ZGC has not operated in isolation. Over the years, it has benefited from strategic partnerships that blend technical support, financial assistance, and grassroots mobilization. UN Women played a foundational role by providing a Technical Advisor when the Commission had no Secretariat. UNDP delivered essential tools of trade including the Commission’s first vehicle. Civil society actors such as the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe, Musasa, WLSA, and WALPE, among others, have been indispensable in implementing programming and conducting survivor support initiatives. Even the private sector has leaned in, with Securico providing security pro bono, affirming that gender equality is not a women’s issue—it is a societal imperative.
International and regional engagement has further elevated ZGC’s stature. Participation in the Commission on the Status of Women, reporting to UN treaty bodies like CEDAW, and collaboration under the Spotlight Initiative demonstrate that ZGC’s lens extends beyond Zimbabwe’s borders. Its training of over 600 traditional leaders on GBV prevention, and support for community by-laws against child marriage, has yielded measurable results, including the rescue of over 340 girls since 2020. This model of engaging custodians of culture in the gender discourse may well be one of ZGC’s most transformative interventions.
The symbolic and institutional significance of acquiring the House of Gender Equality in Harare—a permanent headquarters—is not lost. It marks a maturing institution ready to serve as a hub for gender research, advocacy, and public dialogue. But the physical structure must now house even more audacious aspirations: to dismantle structural inequalities, reimagine inclusive governance, and mainstream gender in the national development agenda.
As the Commission enters its second decade, its mission must expand beyond reform to transformation. It must leverage its independence to interrogate both state and non-state actors, including in traditionally under-scrutinized sectors such as mining, religion, and informal economies where gender exploitation persists. It must also reimagine its strategies for male engagement, recognizing that meaningful change depends on allyship, not antagonism.
Ultimately, the ZGC @10 commemorations offer a timely opportunity for renewal—a chance to recommit to the constitutional vision of a Zimbabwe that respects and upholds the dignity, rights, and agency of every citizen regardless of gender. The media, civil society, government, development partners, and communities must all converge with the same resolve: that gender equality is not a destination, but an enduring struggle. It is a call to action that transcends timelines, mandates, and milestones. As Zimbabwe reflects on the past ten years of the ZGC, it must ask—what kind of future are we building, and for whom?
