Constitutional and Legal Rights

By: Graça Maria: 23-07-19_ O parlamento moçambicano deu grandes passos na luta contra os casamentos prematuros, ao aprovar na especialidade a Lei de Prevenção e Combate as Uniões Prematuras, ao […]

The African Union (AU) will in November hold a two day summit in Zambia to drum up support to end child marriages in Africa. The meeting will bring together high level personalities from across the continent , First Ladies, high level UN dignitaries, women and girls, civil society organizations including community and religious leaders.

Johannesburg, 7 September: The Umkhosi woMhlanga reed dance takes place in KwaZulu-Natal this week, under the shadow of the terrible accident that led to dozens of Swazi maidens being thrown out of an open truck and crushed to death ahead of a similar ceremony in the mountain kingdom at the close of Women’s Month last week.

Harare 26 de fevereiro: Redes da SADC sobre Assuntos de Género instam o Conselho de Ministros da sub-região para colocar a revisão do Protocolo do Género da SADC, no topo da agenda da Cimeira de Chefes de Estado e de Governo, do corrente ano. Esta priorização decorre do facto de 2015 ser o último ano para a adopção das 28 metas do Protocolo, em alinhamento com os Objectivos de Desenvolvimento do Milénio (ODM).

According to the 2012 SADC Gender Protocol Barometer, most SADC Constitutions enshrine non-discrimination generally as well as non-discrimination based on sex. Nine SADC constitutions provide for the promotion of women and seven have other provisions that relate to gender equality.

Lawmakers in Swaziland recently declared illegal the practice of men marrying underage girls – which has been an accepted social norm for centuries. This has however been linked to the spread of HIV in recent years.

The South African cabinet in August approved the Women Empowerment and Gender Equality Draft Bill for publication in the Government Gazette for public comment.The draft law is aimed at enforcing compliance in both the government and the private sector in matters of gender mainstreaming and equality.

Harsh deterrence methods, including police brutality and detainment, have done little to kill of the spirit of women’s rights groups in Zimbabwe. Recently, their determination has started to pay dividends.

The NGO Coordinating Committee continues to lead activists in keeping gender high in the constitution making process. The just ended Women’s Constitutional Conference held from 13 – 15 June 2012 came up with the Mulungushi Women’s Constitutional Declaration and a mobilisation plan for inclusion of women’s constitutional rights.

Gender activists in Zambia have criticised the first draft of the proposed new country constitution, saying it still lacks provisions to protect women rights.

The Chairperson of NGOCC Beatrice Grillo announced the declaration of women rights in the first draft constitution at Mulungushi conference centre.

Most of the provinces either rejected the Traditional Bill or asked for massive changes. In what can be described as a victory for rural women, who have waged war against the bill since it was tabled in 2008, the department of justice will have to go back to the drawing board.

The Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities Lulu Xingwana, says women should not be prevented from voicing their opinions during the Traditional Courts Bill public hearings currently underway.