Habakkuk Trust and Zimbabwe Institute in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs Community Development, Small and Medium Enterprises successfully hosted a Gender Inclusive Traditional Courts Conference in Harare recently.
The conference, held under the theme “Enhancing Justice Outcomes for Women in Traditional Courts of Zimbabwe” brought together stakeholders from the National Council of Chiefs, Ministry of Justice Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Non-Governmental Organizations including women from rural Zimbabwe. The discussions at the conference sought to gain insight on the state of women in traditional courts at the same time building consensus for validation as a national issue. The conference was held against a backdrop of interventions carried out by Habakkuk Trust and Zimbabwe Institute.
Findings from a survey conducted in the Midlands and Matabeleland Provinces were presented to set the tone for the Gender Inclusive Traditional Courts Conference. Habakkuk Trust Director, Mr. Siphatho Ncube presented the journey on the advocacy issue, sighting the key role played by women in society. Habakkuk Trust has been advocating for the inclusion of women as assessors in the traditional system through various initiatives implemented at both local and provincial level. The issue of access to justice for women in traditional courts emanated from Nkayi ward 22, in Matabeleland North Province during constitutional awareness meeting conducted by Habakkuk Trust. It was at this meeting that women in the ward lamented their exclusion as assessors in the local traditional courts which they sighted as aiding unjust outcomes for them. In response, Habakkuk Trust conducted community dialogue meeting and commissioned a research to gather in-depth understanding on the issue. A compendium was compiled and presented at a regional indaba in Bulawayo.
Honourable Minister, Senator Mutsvangwa commended Habakkuk Trust and Zimbabwe Institute for advocating for the rights of women in the traditional court system. The Honourable Minister acknowledged the work done by chiefs in promoting women’s rights and building and inclusive society. She further reiterated government’s commitment to such initiatives.
‘As Government we are in full support for such initiatives guided by our mantra leaving no one behind.’
The President of the National Council of Chiefs, Senator Chief Mtshana Khumalo acknowledged the existence of legislative provisions for the role assessors in primary courts. He indicated the need for wider survey and further dialogue on the issue in order to increase women participation.
