President Robert Mugabe on Wednesday swore-in members of the Gender Commission as some women’s rights advocates urged the commission to prioritize the rampant issue of early child marriages and inheritance laws.
The nine commissioners are chairperson Margaret Sangarewe-Mukahanana, Nyepudzai Nyangulu, Sibongile Mauye, Naomi Chimbetete, Obert Matshalaga, Victor Nkiwane, Paul Kadzima, Peter Mawonera, Chief Chikwizo and Tsungirirai Hungwe.
Mr. Mugabe also swore in Qhubani Moyo and Emmanuel Mugabe as members of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.
Lawmaker and women’s rights activist Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga told VOA the gender commission must get straight to work as there are several important issues awaiting its attention.
“The most important that we are looking at in the gender commission is that it begins to look at the alignment of the laws that affect women in this country and see whether those laws could be aligned to the new constitution,” she said.
“One hopes that they deal with those issues that need urgent attention and those issues that are critical – there are also issues of inheritance laws, marriage laws that need to be reviewed and looked at.”
Misihairabwi-Mushonga said the government has to prioritize the commission and give it the resources required for its work so it can help move the country forward by empowering women.