The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, CCJP, in the Archdiocese of Harare convened government, church, and civil society leaders on 4 September 2026 for a Gender Expo focused on closing gaps in protection for women and children.
Held under the theme “Strengthening Local Gender-Sensitive Support Systems”, the expo brought together community members, legal experts, traditional leaders, law enforcement, and development practitioners to confront child marriage, gender-based discrimination, and limited access to justice.
Speakers said Zimbabwe has laws and policies to protect women and children, but implementation at community level remains weak.
“Having laws on paper is not enough,” one panelist told the gathering. “Meaningful change happens when communities understand, access and actively use these protection systems.”
Discussions centered on practical barriers: delayed reporting of abuse, cultural practices that enable child marriage, and poor coordination between families, traditional leaders, faith communities, and police.
CCJP officials said the expo was designed to create direct dialogue between duty bearers and rights holders, with the goal of building referral pathways that are accessible at ward and parish level.
Representatives from government institutions and civil society organizations committed to work with faith leaders to educate communities on legal protections and reporting mechanisms.
In a closing statement, organizers urged continued collaboration to safeguard vulnerable groups.
“Together, let us continue promoting human dignity, protecting every child and advancing gender equality in our communities,” CCJP said.
The Commission said it will follow up the expo with community sensitization programs in parishes across the Archdiocese of Harare.
