The Women’s Cluster under the National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO) brings together civil society organisations in Zimbabwe committed to advancing women’s rights, gender equality, and inclusive development. The cluster provides a coordinated platform for organisations working to address systemic barriers that continue to limit women’s full participation in social, economic, and political life.
Zimbabwe has made notable progress in strengthening the legal and policy environment for women’s rights, including provisions within the Constitution and laws addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV). However, in the current socio-economic context, many women—particularly at the grassroots level—continue to face challenges such as domestic violence, limited access to justice, and low awareness of their legal rights. This gap highlights the need for intensified legal literacy, community awareness, and access to support services.
The Women’s Cluster also addresses the persistent underrepresentation of women in leadership and decision-making processes across public institutions, the private sector, and political spaces. Despite existing frameworks, women’s participation in governance remains limited, underscoring the need for inclusive policies, affirmative action measures, and strengthened advocacy efforts.
Economic empowerment remains a key priority, as many women in Zimbabwe continue to face structural inequalities in accessing and controlling productive resources such as land, finance, markets, and technology. These barriers are further exacerbated by economic instability, limiting opportunities for sustainable livelihoods and financial independence.
In response, the Women’s Cluster provides a collaborative platform for NGOs and women-focused organisations to align strategies, share knowledge, and implement high-impact, gender-responsive programmes. Key focus areas include:
The cluster plays a critical advocacy role in promoting gender-responsive policies in Zimbabwe, including supporting the effective implementation of affirmative action measures such as quota systems to increase women’s representation in leadership and decision-making spaces.
Through coordinated action, capacity strengthening, and sustained engagement, the Women’s Cluster contributes to building a just, inclusive, and equitable society, where women’s rights are fully realised, their voices are amplified, and their contributions to Zimbabwe’s sustainable development are recognised and valued.