Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) says it received and investigated over 500 cases of child marriages and sexual exploitation in 2022 and called for legislation for the regulation of activities of faith-based organisations to eradicate the scourge.
Presenting the report of the Gender Commission for the year 2022, the Deputy Minister of Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development, Dr Jennifer Mhlanga said the Commission conducted a multisectoral stakeholder’s enquiry into child marriages and sexual exploitation of young girls.
“In accordance with Section 246(h) and also (c), carrying out an investigation of possible violations of rights relating to gender equality is one of the key functions of the Commission. Further, the Zimbabwe Gender Commission Act also mandates the Commission to initiate public enquiries on possible gender violations buttressing its investigative role. Key investigations pursued under the year in review include a multisectoral stakeholder’s enquiry in child marriages and sexual exploitation of young girls and received and investigated over 500 cases of child marriages and sexual exploitation,” said Mhlanga.
She said the Commission received and considered complaints which varied from sexual and gender-based violence, property rights, and land and labour disputes among others.
“In order to increase awareness and educate the public on gender issues while strengthening public understanding of the role of the Commission, the following activities were presented that include conducting public lectures on sexual harassment at the workplace and at tertiary institutions and carried out publicity campaigns in the form of media appearances on various platforms including social media.”
She however highlighted that some of the key challenges encountered included complainants developing cold feet and abandoning their cases.
“The second key challenge, ordinarily the Legal and Investigations unit must have a computerised case management system. The third challenge was lack of decentralised structure leading to delays in dealing with reported cases,” said Mhlanga.
Debating the report, MP Paurina Mpariwa said sexual harassment is a concern and has affected the nation and called for the ratification of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 190 which speaks to violence and harassment in the world of work.
“The Minister has been promising me – perhaps through the Ministry of Women Affairs and the Gender Commission, if we can put pressure on the Minister to ratify Convention 190 because it is a scourge that has affected both sectors, the Government and the private sector. Also, I am on record saying even in our own homes, men are committing sexual harassment to our domestic workers,” she said.
