Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has issued an urgent call for stronger action to protect the nation’s wetlands, which are disappearing at an alarming rate due to illegal developments, weak regulatory enforcement, and urban pressures, despite constitutional protections and international commitments.

In a statement released on World Wetlands Day, ZLHR urged citizens, government authorities, the private sector, civil society, and other stakeholders to prioritise the conservation, restoration, sustainable management, and wise use of wetlands for the benefit of present and future generations.

World Wetlands Day, observed annually on 2 February, commemorates the signing of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971.

The 2026 theme, “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage,” highlights the role of wetlands in sustaining human culture, well-being, and ecological resilience.

ZLHR noted that Zimbabwe’s indigenous and customary practices have historically treated wetlands as sacred spaces, restricting cultivation, construction, and resource extraction, while controlling grazing, protecting vegetation, and preventing pollution.

The organization emphasized that traditional knowledge remains a vital complement to modern conservation strategies.

“Wetlands are among the planet’s most productive ecosystems,” ZLHR said.

Globally, however, wetlands are disappearing due to land-use changes, agriculture, infrastructure development, pollution, and climate change.

Monavale Wetland, also known as Monavale Vlei in Harare, is facing severe pressure from illegal developments, land clearing, and urban expansion, threatening water security and ecological integrity. Despite fines and enforcement actions by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) in response to recent grader operations in late 2025, housing and commercial developments continue to encroach on protected areas.

ZLHR highlighted the constitutional provisions that safeguard water (Section 77) and a non-harmful environment (Section 73), urging immediate action to prevent further degradation.

Other wetlands of concern include the country’s seven Ramsar Sites: Cleveland Dam, Lake Chivero, Victoria Falls National Park, Mana Pools National Park, Driefontein Grasslands, and Chinhoyi Caves.

The organisation recommended key measures to halt wetland loss:

• Stop illegal developments on wetlands and meet Zimbabwe’s Ramsar obligations.
• Integrate international wetland conventions into local laws, policies, and land-use planning.
• Protect and incorporate indigenous knowledge into wetland management, with active community leadership.
• Suspend and reverse approvals for housing and property projects on wetlands.
• Strengthen climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies to safeguard ecosystems and communities.

Zimbabwe has been a regional leader on wetland issues, hosting Ramsar COP15 in Victoria Falls in 2025, but ZLHR warned that without decisive enforcement and community involvement, continued wetland loss could exacerbate water shortages, biodiversity decline, and climate vulnerability across the country.

Male MPs in Zimbabwe’s Parliament are leading the charge for gender equality, pushing for a binding rule that would block any bill that fails to meet constitutional gender-equality standards.

The debate on the ZIMSEC Amendment Bill has sparked a passionate plea from MPs like Daniel Molokele Tsiye, who argues that gender balance should be a condition, not just a principle, in every law passed by the National Assembly.

Tsiye, the MP for Hwange Central, emphasised that gender balance is not a favour, but a constitutional requirement that must be met.

“A bill should not pass if it fails the gender-equality test because, as a country, we aim to achieve gender equality,” he said.

His proposal calls for a compulsory 50% women representation clause across all public institutions, citing Sections 17, 56, and 80 of the Constitution.

The proposal also suggests alternating leadership positions in statutory bodies between men and women to reflect the equality guaranteed under the Constitution.

“If the chairperson is a woman, then the vice-chairperson should be a man. If the chairperson is a man, then the vice-chairperson should be a woman,” Tsiye said.

This move aims to address the country’s long-standing struggle with gender parity, where one in three women face gender-based violence and patriarchal norms hinder equal representation.

The calls for change are gaining momentum, with Ruwa MP Thomas Muwodzeri backing Tsiye’s proposal.

Muwodzeri emphasises that women should be prioritised in ZIMSEC board appointments, given their significant role in education and community responsibilities.

“Women should be prioritised… They understand how the education system works,” he said, adding that women’s decision-making power would resolve ZIMSEC’s problems faster.

This unexpected push from male MPs has sparked hope among women’s rights organisations, who have long advocated for constitutional promises to be honoured.

If adopted, this proposal would set a strict 50% gender threshold for all bills, appointments, and statutory bodies, marking a significant turning point in Zimbabwe’s journey towards gender equality.

The move has also sparked interest among international observers, who are watching Zimbabwe’s compliance with global gender-rights conventions.

The Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs, Security Services and War Veterans Affairs has presented its report on the Ministry of Defence, highlighting significant funding gaps that threaten the Ministry’s operational capacity.

Presenting the report in Parliament, Committee representative Honourable Maoneke Exevila revealed that the Ministry of Defence requires a total budget of ZWL 77,431,265,143 to effectively carry out its mandate.

However, the Treasury allocation stands at ZWL 17,530,189,000, representing only 22.64% of the Ministry’s proposed bid.

Hon. Maoneke emphasised that a robust and well-resourced defence force remains the cornerstone of national stability and sovereignty.

“A strong defence force is the foundation of a strong and secure nation, as the military serves as the first line of defence in protecting civilians and preserving our national sovereignty,” He noted.

The Committee expressed concern that the limited funding could affect the Ministry’s ability to maintain operational readiness, modernise military equipment, and provide adequate welfare for service members.

It urged the government to consider progressively increasing defence allocations in future budgets to ensure the armed forces remain capable of responding to emerging security threats.

Despite the fiscal constraints, the Committee commended the Ministry for its unwavering commitment to upholding national security, safeguarding citizens, and maintaining peace and stability across the country.

The report also called for the prioritisation of resource optimisation and strategic partnerships to bridge the funding gap while ensuring that Zimbabwe’s defence forces remain well-prepared to meet both domestic and regional security challenges.