Partnership and collaboration central to new ZELA-DIHR responsible business project

Compiled by Batanai Mutasa In a significant step towards promoting responsible business practices in Zimbabwe, the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR) and the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) recently launched the “Support a Just Transition through Responsible Business Conduct in Africa,” project. The event brought together key stakeholders, including parliamentarians, representatives from various ministries, […]

ZELA Statement on World Wetlands Day 2025

As we commemorate World Wetlands Day on 2 February, we reaffirm our commitment to the protection and sustainable management of wetlands in Zimbabwe. This year’s theme, “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future,” resonates deeply with our shared responsibility to safeguard these vital ecosystems for current and future generations.  Since ratifying the Ramsar Convention on wetlands […]

Coalition adopts gender sensitive strategies to improve transparency and accountability in the extractive sector

Compiled by Batanai Mutasa Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Coalition members in Zimbabwe are taking gender sensitive approaches in their call for extractive sector revenues to form the basis for development and improve the lives of ordinary citizens in the country. PWYP undertakes public campaigns and policy advocacy to achieve disclosure of information about extractive […]

Ramsar COP15 an Opportunity to Amplify the Protection of Zimbabwe’s Wetlands

Compiled by Divine Chakombera As the Ramsar Conference of Parties (COP15), which Zimbabwe will host in July 2025, fast approaches, the nation is making significant strides in preparation. In December 2024, the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) actively participated in the Wetland Policy and Legislation Indaba, organized by the Zimbabwe Wetlands Trust and Birdlife Zimbabwe. […]

Youth Initiative for Corporate Accountability (YICA) Re-Affirms Commitment to Business and Human Rights

Compiled by Batanai Mutasa Young people participating in the Youth Initiative for Corporate Accountability (YICA) have pledged to revive their advocacy efforts focusing on human rights, transparency, and accountability in the corporate sector. This commitment was made during a two-day training workshop organized by the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA), aimed at empowering youth to […]

Statement on Africa’s Legal Proposals and Recommendations on Articles 5, 7,and 8: Tenth Session of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the UN Legally Binding Instrument Negotiations

16 December 2024, Geneva My name is Obert Bore, a Zimbabwean national, and I am honored to deliver this statement on behalf of: ActionAid International, Pan African Lawyers Union, Centre for Democracy and Human Rights, FIDA-Uganda, Kenya Human Rights Commission, Uganda Consortium on Corporate Accountability, Franciscans International, Lusophone Platform on Human Rights, Network of African […]

2024 Zimbabwe Alternative Mining Indaba Declaration

Energy Transition Minerals꞉ Putting Communities First for Community Development Preamble 1.1 The 13th Edition of the Zimbabwe Alternative Mining Indaba (ZAMI) was held in Bulawayo from the 28th of October 2024 to the 1st of November 2024 under the theme, “Energy Transition Minerals꞉ Putting Communities First for Community Development, convened by the Zimbabwe Environmental Law […]

 Empowering Parliamentarians for Effective Oversight of the National Budget and Finance Bill

Compiled by Tafara Chiremba and Batanai Mutasa The role of parliamentarians is pivotal, especially when it comes to sustainable management of national resources and ensuring responsible financial practices. To shed light on the national budget making processes and the Finance Bill to equip legislators with crucial insights into their fiscal oversight roles, the Zimbabwe Environmental […]

My Journey as an ECR Defender

Compiled by Tadiwanashe Nyakunu I still cherish the memories of May 2024 when I had the privilege of being trained as an Environmental Child Rights (ECR) defender by the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA). Little did I know that this training would empower me to become a change-maker in my community. Transforming My School Upon […]