- ActionAid Zimbabwe urges inclusive governance in mining.
- ZHRC inquiry highlights human rights risks in resource projects.
- Stakeholders discuss stronger roles for women and communities.
ACTIONAID Zimbabwe insists that every community deserves a voice in decisions regarding the nation’s mineral wealth.
During a recent stakeholder meeting in Harare, ActionAid Country Director Dr. Selina Pasirayi expressed the organisation’s dedication to feminist principles, human rights, and sustainability.
The event was organised by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) as part of the Zimbabwe Accountability and Citizen Engagement project,
“We believe that no community should be left behind in the governance of its natural resources,” Pasirayi shared with the attendees.
The meeting shared findings from a national inquiry into human rights issues within the mining sector. The ZHRC report pointed out problems such as environmental pollution, violations of labour rights, and health hazards faced by affected communities.
ActionAid noted that its initiatives are in line with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which focuses on inclusive growth and good governance from 2026 to 2030.
Pasirayi said that the organisation is striving for a future where women, girls, and marginalised groups take the lead in decision-making and fairly benefit from mining revenues.
ActionAid has teamed up with organisations like the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisation (ZELO) to back community-led projects in gemstone and lithium mining regions, assisting residents in negotiating relocations and demanding accountability.
However, challenges remain. Civil society groups are raising alarms about forced evictions, unsafe working conditions, and corruption within the mining industry.
The ZHRC underscored that collaboration among the government, mining companies, and communities is crucial for including human rights standards into sustainability practices.
