SEARCH DATABASE
The Global Gender Equality Constitutional Database is a repository of gender equality related provisions in 194 constitutions from around the world. The Database was updated in partnership with the International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) and with support from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and the Government of Japan. Experience its wealth and depth of information by starting your search now.
Status of the Constitution
- English(1) Zimbabwe is founded on respect for the following values and principles—
(a) supremacy of the Constitution;
… (Sec. 3)
Status of International Law
- English(1) The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission may require any person, institution or agency, whether belonging to or employed by the State or otherwise—
…
(b) to provide the Commission with information it needs to prepare any report required to be submitted to any regional or international body under any human rights convention, treaty or agreement to which Zimbabwe is a party.
… (Sec. 244)
Status of International Law
- English…
(7) Members of the judiciary must take reasonable steps to maintain and enhance their professional knowledge, skills and personal qualities, and in particular must keep themselves abreast of developments in domestic and international law. (Sec. 165)
Status of International Law
- English(1) When interpreting this Chapter12, a court, tribunal, forum or body—
…
(c) must take into account international law and all treaties and conventions to which Zimbabwe is a party;
…
in addition to considering all other relevant factors that are to be taken into account in the interpretation of a Constitution.
… (Sec. 46)
Status of International Law
- EnglishThe State must ensure that all international conventions, treaties and agreements to which Zimbabwe is a party are incorporated into domestic law. (Sec. 34)
Status of International Law
- English
(1) In this section—
“international organisation” means an organisation whose membership consists of two or more independent States or in which two or more independent States are represented;
“international treaty” means a convention, treaty, protocol or agreement between one or more foreign States or governments or international organisations.
(2) An international treaty which has been concluded or executed by the President or under the President’s authority—
(a) does not bind Zimbabwe until it has been approved by Parliament; and
(b) does not form part of the law of Zimbabwe unless it has been incorporated into the law through an Act of Parliament.
(3) Save for loan agreements and guarantees referred to in section 300(3) and (4) an agreement which is not an international treaty but which—
(a) has been concluded or executed by the President or under the President’s authority with one or more foreign organisations or entities and imposes fiscal obligations on Zimbabwe; and
(b) imposes fiscal obligations on Zimbabwe;
does not bind Zimbabwe until it has been approved by Parliament.
(4) An Act of Parliament may provide that subsections (2) and (3)—
(a) do not apply to any particular international treaty or agreement or to any class of such treaties or agreements; or
(b) apply with modifications in relation to any particular international treaty or agreement or to any class of such treaties or agreements.
(5) Parliament may by resolution declare that any particular international treaty or class of international treaties does not require approval under subsection (2), but such a resolution does not apply to treaties whose application or operation requires—
(a) the withdrawal or appropriation of funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund; or
(b) any modification of the law of Zimbabwe.
(6) When interpreting legislation, every court and tribunal must adopt any reasonable interpretation of the legislation that is consistent with any international convention, treaty or agreement which is binding on Zimbabwe, in preference to an alternative interpretation inconsistent with that convention, treaty or agreement. (Sec. 327)
Status of International Law
- English(1) Customary international law is part of the law of Zimbabwe, unless it is inconsistent with this Constitution or an Act of Parliament.
(2) When interpreting legislation, every court and tribunal must adopt any reasonable interpretation of the legislation that is consistent with customary international law applicable in Zimbabwe, in preference to an alternative interpretation inconsistent with that law. (Sec. 326)
Women’s Rights
- English(1) Every woman has full and equal dignity of the person with men and this includes equal opportunities in political, economic and social activities.
(2) Women have the same rights as men regarding the custody and guardianship of children, but an Act of Parliament may regulate how those rights are to be exercised.
(3) All laws, customs, traditions and cultural practices that infringe the rights of women conferred by this Constitution are void to the extent of the infringement. (Sec. 80)
Composition and Appointment
- English
(1) A person is qualified for appointment as a judge of the Constitutional Court if he or she is a Zimbabwean citizen, is at least forty years old and has a sound knowledge of constitutional law and, in addition, possesses one of the following qualifications—
(a) he or she has been a judge of a court with unlimited jurisdiction in civil or criminal matters in a country in which the common law is Roman-Dutch or English, and English is an officially recognised language; or
(b) for at least twelve years, whether continuously or not, he or she has been qualified to practise as a legal practitioner—
(i) in Zimbabwe; or
(ii) in a country in which the common law is Roman-Dutch or English and English is an officially recognised language;
and is currently so qualified to practise.
…
(2) To be appointed as a judge of the Constitutional Court a person must be a fit and proper person to hold office as a judge. (Sec. 177)
Composition and Appointment
- English
Appointments to the judiciary must reflect broadly the diversity and gender composition of Zimbabwe. (Sec. 184)