Zimbabwe Women Against Corruption Trust (ZWACT) has launched a report shedding light on the pervasive issues of corruption in Zimbabwe, which has been a major obstacle for women seeking to exercise their land rights.
The report titled “Gendered Impact of Land Corruption and Displacements on Women’s Access to Socio-Economic Rights in Zimbabwe” was launched at the Kentucky Hotel in Harare.
The study specifically focuses on the victims of the 2023/4 displacements in the Masvingo and Manicaland Provinces of Zimbabwe.
“The gendered imbalance of power and resources results in different experiences of corruption for women and men.
“Women are particularly vulnerable to poverty and may be denied services if they cannot afford informal payments,” said Sandra Matendere, the founder of ZWACT.
Led by Allan Chaumba, the Lead Researcher, this research aims to examine the extent to which women are able to enjoy their land rights in Zimbabwe.
“The report reveals a concerning disparity in land ownership, with only 2% of women claiming ownership of the land they reside in or have been evicted from in Manicaland and Masvingo Province,” said Chaumba.
“Shockingly, the remaining 98% do not own any land. Traditional leaders who allocated land did so in the names of women’s husbands, without any legal proof of occupancy or ownership.”
The report highlights the impact of internal displacements on women’s land rights and their overall enjoyment of human rights.
The assessment reveals how these displacements have affected women’s access to essential resources such as clean water and sanitation, food security, and reproductive health rights.
“This report serves as a vital resource in highlighting the urgent need for addressing corruption and its gendered impact on women’s land rights in Zimbabwe,” said Matendere.
“It calls for concerted efforts to ensure equal access to land and to combat corruption that disproportionately affects women.”
The report also highlights the need for policy reforms and legal frameworks that protect women’s land rights and prevent corruption.
ZWACT also urges the government to take action to address the gendered impact of land corruption and displacements on women’s access to socio-economic rights in Zimbabwe.
