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Now that Zimbabwe’s 2018 harmonised elections are concluded, you might be wondering how else to get involved in shaping your country – after all, voting is the most basic form of exercising your democratic right.
Since elections only occur every five years, there are a number of organisations that keep on working to ensure people are heard, and their rights respected.
Below is a selection of organisations focusing on achieving Zimbabwe-focused missions, from working with children and women, to promoting peace and reconciliation.
Have a look – and if you feel that one of them strikes a chord with you, why not get in touch and work towards a greater Zimbabwe?
Please note: Go Zim understands that there are many organisations working hard in Zimbabwe. The list below is in its fledgling stage and will continue to grow, so keep coming back to check – and if you have any suggestions, let us know!
Heal Zimbabwe Trust [HTZ]
A non-profit peace-building organisation, Heal Zimbabwe Trust was established in 2009 with a mission to prevent and transform conflicts in Zimbabwe with a particular focus on social justice and human rights protection.
The organisation has two objectives:
Objective 1. Plan and initiate the implementation of the national community peace building projects informed by well researched strategies and institutional arrangements;
Objective 2. To communicate information on national healing initiatives and the role of HZT to stakeholders. (Information and Publicity)
Heal Zimbabwe Trust runs a series of programmes:
Community Cohesion building
HZT encourages peace clubs to be the forerunners of justice, peace-building and also to be truth tellers in their respective communities.
Governance and Accountability
HZT in has in the past used the following measures to effectively gather, disseminate information to its members and stakeholders; Documentaries
Peace Building and Conflict Transformation
It is the mandate ofHZT to facilitate activities mainstreaming peace-building in the communities and conflict mitigation strategies.
Welfare and Livelihoods
HZT is promoting the social welfare of people in the communities and restoring the livelihoods of these people. In so doing the communities are aided with income generating projects and also training on these projects on small enterprises management.
Zimbabwe Council of Churches [ZCC]
The Zimbabwe Council of Churches is an ecumenical Christian organisation in Zimbabwe. Founded in 1964, it is a member of the World Council of Churches and the Fellowship of Christian Councils in Southern Africa.
The mission of the ZCC is to enable the member churches to proclaim the good news of Christ, to strive for a visible Christian unity in Zimbabwe, speak with one voice on issues of national concern, and to carry out a holistic, self-supporting, prophetic, relevant and contextual Christian ministry in an ecumenical spirit, with a focus on the preaching and teaching of the gospel in accordance with holy scriptures, on ecumenical worship and spirituality, on community service and renewal, on justice and peace in church and society, and on sound theological reflection/education.
Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe [WCoZ]
The Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe is a network of women’s rights activists and women’s organisations with national structures. It is a forum where women meet to engage in collective activism on issues affecting women and girls in Zimbabwe.
Its central role is to provide a focal point for activism on women’s and girl’s rights and has chapters in Bulawayo, Masvingo, Beitbridge, Kariba, Gweru, Gwanda, Bindura, Morendera and Mutare.
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights [ZLHR]
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights is a not for profit human rights organisation whose core objective is to foster a culture of human rights in Zimbabwe as well as encourage the growth and strengthening of human rights at all levels of Zimbabwean society through observance of the rule of law.
ZLHR is committed to upholding respect for the rule of law and the unimpeded administration of justice, free and fair elections, the free flow of information and the protection of constitutional rights and freedoms in Zimbabwe and the surrounding region. It keeps these values central to its programming activities. ZLHR is a membership organisation consisting of over 200 legal practitioners and law students with an interest in, and affinity for, human rights protection and promotion drawn from around Zimbabwe. Membership is steadily increasing.
Bulawayo Hotline – 0773855635
Mutare Hotline – 0773855718
Harare Hotline – 0772257247
Zimbabwe Peace Project
The Zimbabwe Peace Project is a human rights organisation that monitors and documents politically motivated human rights violations in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe Peace Projects embarks on various campaigns to promote political, civil and socio-economic rights with a view of advancing peace, justice, dignity and development for all. Over the years, the ZPP member partners portfolio has altered as new organisations have come on board while others have ceased to exist, and yet others taken on new and different focus, among other reasons.
Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission [ZHRC]
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission is a national human rights institution which was established under section 242 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. It is an independent Commission whose main mandate is to protect, promote and enforce human rights.
The ZHRC was created by the Global Political Agreement (GPA) which was signed by the three major political actors (ZANU PF and two MDC formations) in Zimbabwe in 2008 and was given effect by Constitution Amendment 19 and specifically section 100R of the former Constitution.
It is now established by the current Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No.20) Act 2013, Chapter 12, commonly referred to as “Independent Commissions supporting democracy” and sections 242-244 of the same. It is operationalised by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission Act Chapter 10:30 which was promulgated on the 12th of October, 2012.
National Peace and Reconciliation Commission
An Independent Commission established in terms of the Constitution of Zimbabwe to promote national peace, healing, reconciliation and social cohesion.
Main functions
To prevent ,reduce and manage conflict in Zimbabwe
To promote peace and national healing unity and cohesion in Zimbabwe
and enable peaceful resolution of disputes and conflicts among other functions
