Zimbabwe: Draft constitution calls for establishment of gender commission

Principal drafters of the new constitution of Zimbabwe have produced the much-awaited first draft currently under review by the Constitution Select Committee. The draft calls for the establishment of a gender commission to monitor progress around implementation of programmes and policies that relate to gender across sectors.

Other functions of the commission will include the investigation of possible violations of rights relating to gender; research into issues relating to gender and social justice;recommendations of changes to laws and practices, which lead to discrimination basedon genderand to advise public and private institutions on steps to be taken to ensure gender equality.

The commission members will be chosen for their integrity and knowledge and understanding of gender issues in social, economic and political life and the both women and men must be equally represented on the commission.