Zimbabwe Gender Commission Commemorates Africa Day 2025: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations”
The Zimbabwe Gender Commission joins the continent in celebrating Africa Day, observed annually on the 25th of May. This year, the theme is ” Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations,” resonates deeply with our commitment to foster gender equality and empower men and women across the continent. The theme this year resonates with Section 233(f) of Zimbabwe’s constitution on the objectives of Chapter 12 institutions which mandates ZGC, among others ‘to ensure that injustices are remedied’.
Together as Africans, let us uphold our African heritage and traditions while promoting gender equality and empowerment. As Zimbabwe Gender Commission we recognize significance of our African cultural heritage and traditions in shaping identities and promoting social cohesion. As a Commission we are proud to have a chief among our commissioners who brings valuable insights and perspectives on the role of culture and tradition in achieving gender equality.
The experience of ZGC as it celebrates its 10th anniversary is that there is general consensus that while harmful practices prevail in Africa, Zimbabwe and indeed in our society, these do not necessarily originate only from culture. Rather, it has been noted that culture is in most cases used as an excuse to justify anti-social and unjust behaviour mainly by perpetrators.
As we commemorate Africa Day, Zimbabwe Gender Commission is encouraged by and stands firmly on Chapter 2(1) on supremacy of the Constitution which invalidates ‘any law, custom, practice and conduct’ inconsistent with the constitution. Section 3(g) on values and principles upholds gender equality while Section 56 on Equality and Non-discrimination guarantees women and men the right to ‘equal opportunities in political, economic, cultural and social spheres. Section 80 upholds rights of women and Section 81, rights of children.
ZGC will continue to draw from Section 246 which mandates the Commission to:
- to monitor issues concerning gender equality to ensure gender equality as provided in the Constitution.
- to investigate possible violations of rights relating to gender;
- to receive and consider complaints from the public and to take such action in regard to the complaints as it considers appropriate;
- to conduct research into issues relating to gender and social justice, and to recommend changes to laws and practices which lead to discrimination based on gender;
- to advise public and private institutions on steps to be taken to ensure gender equality;
- to recommend affirmative action programmes to achieve gender equality;
- to recommend prosecution for criminal violations of rights relating to gender;
- to secure appropriate redress where rights relating to gender have been violated; and
- to do everything necessary to promote gender equality
In line with this vision, we continue to advocate for policies that promote gender equality. On this Africa Day, let us accelerate action to advance gender equality. Together we can build a more just and equitable society for all.
For Gender Equality
Download statement: ZGC WORKERS DAY PRESS STATEMENT 2025
