Women of Zimbabwe and Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA) issue this joint statement to register our firm objection to the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill (H.B. 1 of 2026) (“CAB3”), and to urge Parliament and all relevant regional and international authorities to help uphold the 2013 Constitution and the rights it guarantees to the people of Zimbabwe.
CAB3 proposes far-reaching changes to Zimbabwe’s governance framework, including abolition of the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, ending the direct election of the President in favour of election by a joint sitting of Parliament, extending terms of office for the President, Parliament, and local authorities from five to seven years, and restructuring key constitutional commissions and electoral administration.
Our objections to CAB3:
- It undermines citizens’ right to choose their leaders. Repealing the constitutional provision for the direct election of the President and replacing it with election by a joint sitting of Parliament weakens popular sovereignty and the principle that political power derives from the people.
- It dilutes democratic accountability by extending terms of office. Extending the electoral cycle from five to seven years reduces the frequency with which citizens can hold leaders accountable through elections, and risks entrenching power in ways that are inconsistent with the spirit of constitutionalism.
- It threatens institutional independence and checks and balances. Reported provisions would shift key electoral functions away from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and create new structures appointed through executive influence, increasing the risk of politicisation and weakening safeguards for credible elections.
- It puts women’s rights and gender equality protections at risk. Proposals to scrap the Zimbabwe Gender Commission and absorb or reassign its mandate weaken specialised oversight and accountability mechanisms that are critical for advancing gender equality and responding effectively to discrimination and gender-based violence.
- It raises serious constitutional process concerns. Where amendments have the effect of extending terms of office or altering foundational features of the Constitution, Zimbabwe’s constitutional framework requires strict adherence to procedural safeguards and meaningful public participation. Attempts to proceed without a referendum and without a safe, inclusive civic space risk rendering the process illegitimate.
- It is being advanced in a context of intimidation and shrinking civic space. Reports of harassment, violence, and intimidation around public hearings and civic engagement undermine the ability of citizens, especially women, youth, and marginalised groups, to speak freely and participate in constitutional reform processes.
Our calls to action
- We call on the Parliament of Zimbabwe to withdraw CAB3 and to refrain from advancing amendments that weaken democratic participation, checks and balances, and constitutional rights.
- We call for any constitutional reform to be people-driven, transparent, and fully compliant with Section 328 and other procedural safeguards, including the use of a referendum where constitutionally required.
- We call for the protection of women’s constitutional rights and the retention of strong, specialised mechanisms that advance gender equality, including maintaining effective, independent oversight of gender equality commitments.
- We urge authorities to guarantee a safe civic space for consultations, free from intimidation, violence, or retaliation, so that women and all citizens can participate meaningfully.
- We call on regional and international partners, including the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union (AU), and the UK Government, to support constitutionalism and civic freedoms and to raise concerns where processes undermine democratic norms and human rights.
We reaffirm our solidarity with Zimbabwean women, communities and civil society actors working peacefully to defend constitutional democracy. We will continue to engage Parliament and relevant institutions, and to encourage citizens to make submissions and to stand for a rights-respecting, democratic Zimbabwe.
Women of Zimbabwe
Patricia Chinyoka, Founder
Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA)
Rachel Palma Randle, Director