8 TWGs of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission. The Zimbabwe Human Rights Act (Cap. 10:30) mandates the ZHRC to set up Thematic Working Groups (TWGs) for the ‘... better exercise of its functions ... as it considers appropriate’. In clause 7(3), the Working Groups shall be based on thematic areas one of which is the thematic area of ‘Economic, Social and Cultural Rights’. During the course of the year 2016 the TWG attended various workshops and meetings and organised its own activities. However, the activities were limited as the TWG has not been formally operationalised due to funding constrains. Key achievements of the TWG 10.7.1. Drafting Key Documents During the course of the year the TWG secretariat drafted a concept note, draft terms of reference and compiled a list of potential members to the TWG. These key documents were drafted to formalise the operationalisation of the TWG. The concept note focused on the inception workshop for the TWG while the draft terms of reference are a guide to the appointment and work of the TWG members. These documents have been reviewed by the Commissioner of the TWG. 10.7.2. Workshops and Networking Meetings During 2016 the TWG attended two meetings. The first meeting was a Consultation meeting on the Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (IPRSP). The Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy (IPRSP) is an initiative to enhance Government’s efforts in fighting poverty in the country and to ensure that there is inclusive growth guided by the ZIMASSET blueprint. The key participants at the meeting were the Government Ministries as well as non-state actors in the Social services sector. Presentations at this meeting were given by the Government Ministries as they highlighted their achievements as set out in the ZIMASSET blueprint and in line with Social Development Goals. The key output which was envisaged through the IPRSP strategy is to facilitate the re-engagement process of Zimbabwe with the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and cooperating partners, which is key in financing the country’s development process and crafting of measures that can be implemented in the short to medium term, with long lasting impacts that guarantee improvement in citizenry welfare. The second meeting was the Regional Capacity Strengthening Convening for National Human Rights Institutions from 2225 November 2016 at Holiday Inn Sandton, Johannesburg in South Africa. The objective of this workshop was to highlight the rights of key populations of the LGBTIQ in Africa with focus on the role of National Human Rights Institutions on the promotion and protection of human rights of these populations. 10.7.3. Engagement Meeting with People Living with Albinism To ensure that the marginalised benefit from the services offered by the ZHRC, the TWG on ESCR convened an engagement meeting with people with Albinism. The meeting was held at the Brethren in Christ Church in Bulawayo on the 17th of December 2016. The main purpose of the engagement meeting was to enlighten this vulnerable group of persons on the mandate and functions of the ZHRC as well as gather views on issues affecting them as people with albinism with regards to their economic, social and cultural rights in Zimbabwe. During this meeting the TWG was able to get in-depth knowledge on the challenges being faced by persons living with albinism and the participants present were able to provide recommendations on how their plight could be resolved. Protecting, Promoting and Enforcing Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms 43

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