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. […]
Compiled By Joyce Nyamukunda Machiri Growing up in Mutoko, Zimbabwe, I was always intrigued by the loud, booming sounds coming from surrounding quarry and black granite mines. I would ask my grandmother about them, but she all she could proffer were vague answers. To her, these noises were simply a facet of everyday life—a distant […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Compiled by Clive Mahachi While mining can drive economic growth, it often leaves a trail of social and psychological turmoil, particularly for women who bear the brunt of environmental degradation, displacement, and increased risks of violence. This reality underscores the urgent need for psychosocial support services tailored specifically for women impacted by mining activities. In […]
Compiled by Tildar Nyakuni and Whitney Chinowawa (Environmental Child Rights Defenders) Our work in mining communities such as Chiadzwa and Chimanimani has given us firsthand experiences of the devastating impact of environmental degradation on children’s lives. These experiences have spurred us to keep writing and advocating for Environmental Child Rights as ECR Defenders under the […]
Compiled by Mutuso Dhliwayo and Hazel Tariro Chimbiro Introduction / Background To develop a cadre of judges, lawyers and experts with expertise in environmental law, strengthen access to courts in environmental cases and facilitate the effective adjudication of environmental cases, many countries have created specialized environmental courts and tribunals (ECTs) or environmental , green ‘benches’ […]