THE proposed merger of the Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) with the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission has triggered widespread debate, with critics warning it could weaken gender equality protections.
Critics argue that merging the ZGC into a broader human rights body risks diluting its mandate, weakening accountability mechanisms, and reversing hard-won gains in advancing gender equality, especially when the commission is already struggling with limited funding and institutional independence.
Women in Politics Support Network director Sakhile Ngoma questioned the government’s intentions behind the proposal, describing it as a setback for women’s rights.
“The merger proposal is untenable and raises serious concerns about the government’s commitment to gender equality,” Ngoma said.
“It’s not about the money; it’s about undermining the progress made in promoting women’s rights.”
Ngoma said the ZGC was created under the 2013 Constitution to address systemic inequalities, but has consistently been underfunded.
She noted that the commission was allocated just 0,02% of the 2026 National Budget, which she said reflects a lack of political will to prioritise gender equality.
Despite financial constraints, Ngoma said the commission has made notable progress in engaging stakeholders and supporting government efforts to address inequality.
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“The Gender Commission has consistently punched above its weight class, and it’s worrying that the government wants to undermine its work,” she said.
Ngoma called for clear and public clarification from the government regarding the rationale behind the proposed merger, insisting that the independence of the ZGC must be protected.
“We need to ensure that the ZGC remains an independent institution, able to hold the government accountable for its commitments to gender equality,” she said.
