07/09/2026
CCJP Gender Expo puts spotlight on child marriage, justice gaps and gender equality in Zimbabwe
By Fr. Johnston Mlambo
Despite significant efforts by Zimbabwe to promote gender equality and put in place legal and institutional mechanisms to protect women and children, gender discrimination, child marriages and barriers to justice remain challenges requiring greater cooperation among families, communities, churches, civil society and state institutions.
These concerns came under the spotlight during the 2026 Gender Expo, organised by the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) in the Archdiocese of Harare, which was held in Harare on Friday, 4 September 2026, under the theme “Strengthening Local Gender-Sensitive Support Systems.”
The Expo brought together experts, organisations and community members to discuss gender equality, child protection and the effectiveness of existing support systems, while also providing participants with an opportunity to share experiences from their communities.
Gender equality broadly refers to a situation in which a person's gender does not determine their access to rights, resources and opportunities. Zimbabwe has over the years introduced various measures aimed at advancing gender equality, including the establishment of the Zimbabwe Gender Commission. However, participants at the Expo heard that significant gaps remain between policies and laws on paper and the realities experienced by people in communities.
The panel included Dr Locadia Shayamunda, a development practitioner and CCJP Coordinator for the Archdiocese of Harare whose work focuses on peacebuilding and social cohesion; Dr Martin Maeresa, a child rights lawyer and human rights activist whose work centres on child protection, child marriage and safeguarding frameworks rooted in an African worldview; and Faith Ururu, a research and programming manager at the Zimbabwe Gender Commission. The Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association (ZWLA) was also represented.
One of the key issues discussed was child marriage and the social, economic and religious factors that perpetuate the practice.
In his presentation, Dr Maeresa identified poverty, social norms and some traditional beliefs among the factors contributing to child marriage. He also pointed to practices associated with some religious communities as contributing to the problem.
He told participants that religion was associated with a significant proportion of reported child marriage cases, citing a figure of 48 percent during his presentation. He further highlighted the serious consequences of child marriage, including health risks and deaths associated with early marriage and pregnancy.
The discussion, however, went beyond identifying the causes of child marriage and examined the systems intended to protect children. Dr Maeresa observed that Zimbabwe has several laws and safeguarding provisions, but argued that weaknesses in enforcement continue to undermine their effectiveness. Participants also heard that information about protection mechanisms and services offered by government and other organisations does not always reach the communities and individuals who need it most.
This information gap, the Expo heard, can leave vulnerable people unaware of where to seek assistance or how to use existing protection and referral systems.
The effectiveness and accessibility of justice mechanisms also featured prominently in the discussions.
Concerns were raised regarding access to the Zimbabwe Republic Police's Victim Friendly Unit (VFU), as participants noted that specialized personnel are not always available at every station. Furthermore, despite being invited, the VFU failed to send a representative to the panel. This absence highlights the hurdles survivors face when reporting sensitive cases, often forcing them to navigate extensive questioning before receiving appropriate assistance.
Delays in the justice system were also identified as a significant barrier, with some cases taking a long time to reach a conclusion in the courts. Corruption was cited as another factor that can weaken efforts to protect vulnerable people and ensure access to justice.
Civil society organisations were acknowledged for the important role they continue to play in promoting gender equality, combating child marriage and supporting vulnerable people. However, participants noted that many non-governmental organisations remain under-resourced, limiting their ability to reach all communities requiring their services.
The discussions called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, law enforcement agencies, churches, traditional and community structures, civil society organisations and families.
Participants were also challenged to examine cultural and religious practices critically, drawing from values that uphold human dignity and rejecting interpretations or practices that expose women and children to abuse or exploitation. Religious communities, in particular, were encouraged to ensure that the values they profess are reflected in their day-to-day treatment and protection of women and children.
Beyond the panel discussions, the Gender Expo created space for organisations working with women, girls and vulnerable communities to showcase their programmes and interact directly with participants. Among the exhibitors were Caritas Archdiocese of Harare, Musasa, Shamwari Yemwanasikana, and the Catalyst Foundation, which is implementing the Secure Hope Empower (SHE) project, among others.
The exhibition component allowed participants to learn about available services, interventions and initiatives while establishing connections with organisations working in gender equality, child protection and community development.
Participants also had an opportunity to engage panelists through questions on gender equality, child marriage and access to justice. They complemented the expert presentations with accounts of what they are witnessing in their own communities, bringing grassroots experiences into the discussion.
The Expo underscored that while legislation and institutional structures remain essential, effective protection ultimately depends on whether those systems are accessible and functional at the community level and whether people know how to use them.
SOCCOM will this week share videos of the presentations, together with reactions and reflections from participants at the CCJP Gender Expo
