By Aldridge Dzvene
The Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) this week marked a decade of its existence, celebrating over 4 000 cases resolved since its 2015 inception, yet many voices from the ground say the fight for gender justice remains far from over.
At the provincial forum held in Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West, stakeholders expressed both appreciation and frustration. While progress has been made through legislation such as the Marriages Act of 2022 and the Education Amendment Act of 2020, many said the laws are not biting where it matters most, in the communities plagued by gender-based violence, cultural silencing, and harmful traditional practices.
“As traditional leaders, we appreciate the Commission’s presence, but we cannot ignore the hidden pain of male victims,” said Chief Nemakonde. “We need to confront all sides of gender injustice, not just the popular narratives.”
Other speakers echoed concerns that rural girls, particularly in apostolic sects, remain vulnerable to child marriages, sexual exploitation, and interrupted education. Kudakwashe Munemo of the Institute for Young Women Development said, “Legislation is there, but in some communities, nothing has changed, the girls remain trapped.”
To its credit, the ZGC has launched a national call centre and intends to decentralise operations to ensure accessibility, but critics insist that victims are looking for more than platforms to report abuse. They want immediate protection, enforcement, and culturally sensitive intervention strategies.
Honourable Marian Chombo, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, urged the Commission to scale up gender-responsive development and accountability. She acknowledged that although progress had been made, Zimbabwe must still grapple with systemic barriers rooted in both policy and practice.
ZGC Chairperson Dr Nyepudzai Nyangulu said the 10-year milestone is not just for celebration but deep reflection. “We must ask ourselves, what more can we do, how far have we gone in transforming Zimbabwe’s gender landscape,” she said.
As official commemorations begin under the theme “ZGC @ 10: Reflecting on Achievements and the Future for Gender Equality in Zimbabwe,” public sentiment calls for the Commission to intensify grassroots engagement, take a firmer stand against violators, and leave no room for lip service.
Ten years on, the conversation has matured, but communities are calling for action that moves beyond boardroom declarations. Gender still bleeds, and the Commission must respond with urgency, courage, and community-centered transformation
