Blog by Dr. h.c. Katherine Sai Wichmann Zacharias
SI CSW70 Delegate
While attending the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations in New York this week, I sat in on a meaningful session hosted by the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development titled “Dismantling Structural Barriers to Accessing Justice: The First Lady of Zimbabwe’s Blueprint for Inclusive Justice.”
Although First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa was unable to attend due to other commitments, a video message from her was shared, and the keynote address was delivered on her behalf by Monica Mutsvangwa. Two senators, the Minister of Women Affairs, and the President of the Senate were also present.
The central theme of the discussion was clear: access to justice and access to education are fundamental rights for women and girls. As stated during the keynote, “Where there is equality, there is access to justice. We must dismantle structural barriers because as long as they exist, they promote inequality.”
Zimbabwe has taken important steps forward. One major milestone is that it is now a crime to marry a girl under the age of eighteen, a significant protection for young girls. Education around rights and legal protections is also being prioritised, particularly regarding teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, and bullying.
Through initiatives supported by the First Lady, several programmes are helping advance women’s rights and support survivors. A toll-free hotline (575) has been created to connect individuals experiencing gender-based violence directly to her office. The Angel of Hope Foundation is also working to support women’s rights, challenge harmful community norms, and empower survivors.
Additional initiatives include programmes supporting female prisoners, focusing on rehabilitation and reintegration into society, including access to feminine products and health services. Legal clinics are also being hosted across the country to provide women with legal guidance and support.
To address drug abuse, the First Lady also established Angels of Hope Drug Rehabilitation Centre, offering rehabilitation services for those struggling with addiction.
Another sobering statistic shared during the session was that sixty per cent of people living with HIV in Zimbabwe are women and girls, highlighting the urgency of targeted support and health resources.
Zimbabwe’s broader vision aligns with the United Nations’ global development priorities: ensuring access and opportunity for all by 2030 and “leaving no one behind.” Part of this effort includes certifying traditional chiefs in rural areas so they can better educate and support vulnerable populations, particularly widows.
Zimbabwe’s Deputy Chief Secretary also spoke, outlining a three-fold approach by the government:
- Helping the nation see gender equality and women’s empowerment in a more positive light.
- Implementing gender policies across the entire government, not just within women’s affairs departments.
- Expanding women’s access to economic opportunities, recognising that economic empowerment leads to real livelihood change.
The conversation also highlighted international collaboration. Ana Dias Lourenço expressed interest in working together with Zimbabwe’s First Lady, and representatives from Angola and Germany shared appreciation for the work being done and similar efforts in their own countries.
Sessions like this remind us that dismantling structural barriers requires leadership, collaboration, and community engagement. The work happening in Zimbabwe offers an inspiring example of how policy, advocacy, and grassroots initiatives can come together to expand justice and opportunity for women and girls.
This blog underscores the importance of Soroptimist International’s pillars of violence against women, empowerment, and health in creating a more just and equitable world.
