Linda Masarira
By Linda Masarira
A landmark moment in Zimbabwe’s journey towards inclusive governance has been achieved. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC)’s recent launch of its Gender Policy, Disability Inclusion Policy, Strategic Plan 2025-2029 and updated Client Charter marks a significant milestone in our long-standing advocacy for inclusive, participatory and representative governance. As Labour Economists and Afrikan Democrats (LEAD), we welcome these developments with a mix of gratitude, cautious optimism and renewed determination.
The Gender Policy is a crucial instrument in a nation whose political economy remains deeply patriarchal. Historically, Zimbabwean women have had to fight for a seat at the table in political and public decision-making, often facing systemic barriers rooted in cultural, structural and institutional discrimination. If fully implemented, this policy has the potential to disrupt that cycle by institutionalizing equity and elevating women’s participation across all electoral processes. However, we must emphasize that a policy is only as powerful as its implementation.
We have witnessed numerous progressive policies collect dust on shelves while the lived realities of marginalized groups remain unchanged. It’s imperative that the ZEC Gender Policy is not relegated to a ceremonial document. Instead, it must be actively enforced, monitored, and integrated into every layer of Zimbabwe’s electoral systems, from candidate selection to voter education, resource allocation and dispute resolution mechanisms. Anything less would undermine the spirit of Section 17 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, which mandates gender balance in all spheres of Zimbabwean society.
We also welcome the adoption of the Disability Inclusion Policy, a long overdue milestone. As LEAD, through our disability justice platforms so we have tirelessly advocated for inclusive electoral systems that recognize and accommodate persons with disabilities. Although belated, this achievement is a welcome victory for all citizens who believe in the right of every Zimbabwean regardless of physical ability to participate fully in the democratic process.
Moving forward, we reiterate our call for electoral reform that goes beyond symbolic gestures to concrete structural changes. A key priority is revising our electoral model to fully reflect the constitutional gender parity mandate. We advocate for adopting the Zebra List Proportional Representation party list system already used for senatorial elections, as the standard for all electoral tiers. This system is the most practical and democratic mechanism for achieving the 50/50 gender balance envisioned in both the Constitution and the new ZEC Gender Policy.
In a political economy where women and persons with disabilities are often marginalized, policies like these are not just administrative tools they are lifelines for justice, equality and dignity. Therefore, we urge ZEC to walk the talk and as LEAD and citizens, we commit to continuing to hold all electoral institutions accountable until true inclusivity is not just promised, but delivered.