CEDAW/C/ZWE/CO/6

Zimbabwe (CEDAW 10-03-2020)

The Committee considered the sixth periodic report of Zimbabwe (CEDAW/C/ZWE/6) at its 1753rd and 1754th meetings (see CEDAW/C/SR.1753 and CEDAW/C/SR.1754), held on 13 February 2020. The list of issues and questions raised by the pre-sessional working group is contained in CEDAW/C/ZWE/Q/6, and the responses of the State party are contained in CEDAW/C/ZWE/RQ/6.

Concluding observations

E. Principal areas of concern and recommendations

Disadvantaged groups of women

45. The Committee notes with concern the stigmatization and increasing risk of violence, exploitation and abuse for women and girls with disabilities. It also notes with concern reports of hate speech, stigma and discrimination against lesbian, bisexual and transgender women and intersex persons in the fields of education, health, employment and justice. It is further concerned about reports of the detention of women with young children and of sexual harassment and abuse against women in detention.
46. The Committee recommends that the State party:                              

(a) Eliminate intersecting forms of discrimination against women and girls with disabilities, as well as against lesbian, bisexual and transgender women and intersex persons, raise public awareness about their human rights and prosecute and adequately punish the perpetrators of violence against them;                                       

(b) Promote the use of alternatives to detention, especially for pregnant women, mothers with young children and women heads of household, improve the conditions in female detention facilities in accordance with the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non‑custodial Measures for Women Offenders (the Bangkok Rules) and enhance the measures to protect women in detention from gender-based violence, including through regular monitoring and independent and confidential complaint mechanisms.