Human rights lawyer Prisca Dube has called for introspection and re-evaluation of the original Beijing framework as the world moves towards the Beijing +30 agenda.
She said there is need for a more inclusive approach to addressing gender-based violence, ensuring that both women and men are equally involved in these discussions.
Dube shared these sentiments during the EMthonjeni Women’s Forum’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence commemorations under the theme, “Towards Beijing +30: Unite to End Violence Against Women and Girls.”
Reflecting on the 1995 Beijing Conference, Dube noted that the initial framework inadvertently excluded men from conversations about gender equality, creating barriers to achieving meaningful inclusivity.
“I was in Form 4 then. At the time, students from Mpopoma High, Ncube, and Msitheli schools went to the airport to see women departing for Beijing. When they returned, they were singing ‘Tawuya nawo ma human rights evakadzi’ [We have brought women’s rights],” she recalled.
“This gave the impression that women’s rights were a Western concept and that women were being elevated above men. This perception made it challenging to integrate men into the Beijing platform and created obstacles to fostering gender equity and equality.”
Dube said it is important to address lingering perceptions from the original framework to ensure a more inclusive agenda as the world approaches Beijing +30.
“As we move forward, we need to dismantle those outdated concepts and create a framework that is inclusive of everyone when addressing violence against women and girls,” she said.
Dube commended Zimbabwe’s legal framework for its advancements in gender equality. She noted that Zimbabwe is a signatory to numerous international conventions on women’s rights, including the African Charter. She also highlighted constitutional provisions such as Section 51, which guarantees freedom from violence, and Section 56, which ensures equality and non-discrimination.
“We have made significant progress, such as the Domestic Violence Act of 2007, which is one of the most comprehensive laws. It combines criminal and civil remedies, enabling victims to access justice in one place. Before its enactment, victims had to approach multiple courts for issues such as property sharing, custody, maintenance, and peace orders,” she explained.
However, Dube acknowledged that cultural barriers remain a significant challenge to fully implementing these laws.
“Cultural norms often discourage women from reporting abuse. For instance, some women withdraw cases after filing reports because of societal expectations to preserve their marriages. This undermines access to justice and perpetuates stereotypes,” she said.
Dube also noted improvements in other legal areas, such as the Labour Act, which now criminalises sexual harassment and abuse in the workplace. Changes in reproductive health rights laws have removed restrictions on the number of times women can take maternity leave.
“In addition, the Marriage Act Chapter 5:17 provides greater protection for women’s property rights in marriages and marriage-like relationships. These changes demonstrate progress towards achieving the Beijing +30 goals,” she said.
Despite these advancements, Dube stressed the need to bridge gaps in implementation, raise awareness of existing legal protections, and ensure cultural shifts that support the dignity and rights of women.
“The legal framework is in place. What we need to do now is to use it effectively,” she concluded.
