Zimbabwe Gender Commission Act of [Chapter 10:31]

To provide for the establishment of the Zimbabwe Gender Commission to perform specified functions, including the investigation of and making of recommendations on the removal of barriers to the attainment of full gender equality; and to provide for matters connected with or incidental to the foregoing.

WHEREAS section 245 of the Constitution provides as follows:

"245 Establishment and composition of Zimbabwe Gender commission

(1) There is a commission to be known as the Zimbabwe Gender Commission consisting of-

(a) A chairperson appointed by the President after consultation with the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders; and

(b) Eight other members, of whom-

(i) Seven are appointed by the President from a list of not fewer than twelve nominees submitted by the Committee on Standing Rule and Orders; and

(ii) One is a nominee of the National Council of Chiefs, appointed by the President.

(2) Members of the Zimbabwe Gender Commission must be chosen for their integrity and thzir knowledge and understanding of gender issues in social, cultural, economic and political spheres, and the genders must be equally represented on the Commission.

246 Functions of Zimbabwe Gender Commission

The Zimbabwe Gender Commission has the following functions-

(a) To monitor issues concerning gender equality to ensure gender equality as provided in this Constitution;

(b) To investigate possible violations of rights relating to gender;

(c) To receive and consider complaints from the public and to take such action in regard to the complaints as it considers appropriate;

(d) To conduct research into issues relating to gender and social justice, and to recommend changes to laws and practices which lead to discrimination based on gender;

(e) To advise public and private institutions on steps to be taken to ensure gender equality;

(f) To recommend affirmative action programmes to achieve gender equality;

G) To recommend prosecution for criminal violations of rights relating to gender;

(h) To secure appropriate redress where rights relating to gender have been violated; and

(i) To do everything necessary to promote gender equality.

247 Reports by Zimbabwe Gender Commission

In addition to the report it is required to submit in terms of section 323, the Zimbabwe Gender Commission may, through the appropriate Minister, submit reports to Parliament on particular matters relating to gender issues which, in the Commission's opinion, should be brought to the attention of Parliament."

NOW-, THEREFORE, be it enacted by the Parliament and the President of

Zimbabwe as follows:-

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Zimbabwe Gender Commission Act of [Chapter 10:31]