By Tendai Makaripe
HARARE, Zimbabwe — Gender experts are urging Zimbabwe to ratify and domesticate a new African Union convention aimed at ending violence against women and girls, saying the move would strengthen laws, improve enforcement and expand survivor services.
The new treaty is the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AU-CEVAWG), adopted in February 2025.
This legally binding convention establishes a comprehensive framework to prevent, eliminate, and respond to all forms of violence against women and girls across Africa.
It builds on the Maputo Protocol by providing clearer rights, a legally binding framework, and enforceable measures once ratified and domesticated by member states.
Gender and human rights expert Rotina Mafume Musara said years of working with survivors revealed gaps the treaty could help close.
“I have spent years working with women and girls whose lives have been torn apart by gender-based violence in Zimbabwe,” she said.
“This is why I strongly believe it is time for Zimbabwe to ratify and domesticate the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women. Ratification would signal our nation’s commitment. Domestication would ensure that those commitments move beyond paper into real protections — stronger laws, effective enforcement, safe shelters, and support systems that survivors urgently need.”
The AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls is the first continent-wide, legally binding framework focused exclusively on preventing, responding to and eliminating violence against women in public and private life.
It requires states to strengthen legal protections, improve policing and prosecution, and provide survivor-centred services such as shelters, hotlines, legal aid and psychosocial care.
It also addresses newer harms, including online and technology-facilitated abuse.
Social worker Lisa William said ratifying and domesticating the convention would align Zimbabwe’s laws with continental standards and create clearer obligations for government ministries, law enforcement, health workers and social services.
“The treaty would help coordinate funding, data collection and accountability, closing the gap between policy and practice that survivors often face,” said William.
Regional momentum is growing as several African countries have signed the convention and begun domestic processes toward ratification.
The treaty enters into force once a required number of states deposit their instruments, and advocates say Zimbabwe should join early to shape implementation and benefit from shared standards.
For Musara, the push is personal.
“For me, this is not just policy work. It is about honouring the women I have stood beside, ensuring their courage leads to change, and building a Zimbabwe where our daughters can grow up free from fear,” she said.
“Ratifying and domesticating this convention would be a clear step forward — a powerful statement that women’s lives and dignity matter in Zimbabwe.
“I call on policymakers, civil society, and all of us who care about justice to push for Zimbabwe to take this step. Together, we can make ending violence against women a reality.”
