10. THEMATIC WORKING GROUPS (TWGS) ZHRC established 8 Thematic Working Groups (TWGs), in accordance with paragraph 7 of the First Schedule of the ZHRC Act in order for it to better exercise its functions. The TWGs are as follows: • • • • • • • Children’s Rights Gender Equality and Women’s Rights Civil and Political Rights Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Capacity Building and Development Environmental Rights Special Interests ( with a specific focus on the elderly, youth and persons living with disabilities) • International Agreements and Treaties The first 4 TWGs mentioned above are specifically provided for by paragraph 7(3) (a) – (d) of the first schedule, whilst the last four were established in line with paragraph 7(3) (e) thereof which states that the ZHRC may establish any other thematic area which it may deem necessary. In terms of their composition, TWGs are chaired by a Commissioner and supported by the secretariat, headed by a Chief Human Rights Officer (CHRO). TWGs are a fora which the Commission utilises to thoroughly interrogate different rights in thematic sectors in order to ensure the respect and fulfillment of the mandate of ZHRC. Best practices towards the promotion and protection of human rights are shared in these TWGs as various stakeholders meet to dialogue on pertinent issues affecting that relevant thematic sector. In terms of paragraph 7 subsection 2 (b) of the First Schedule of the ZHRC Act, the Commission may appoint as members of the TWG persons who are not members of the Commission and may fix terms and conditions of their appointment. Therefore, this allows the invitation of experts 36 from different schools of thought in a particular field of interest to join the TWGs. During the period under review only 4 TWGs out of the 8 TWGs implemented activities which were scheduled on the ZHRC work plan. These TWGs were the Gender Equality and Women’s Rights, Environmental Rights, International Agreements and Treaties, Children’s Rights and the Special Interests TWGs. The activities of the remaining 4 TWGs which are; Civil and Political Rights, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Environmental Rights and Capacity Building and Development TWGs were not scheduled on the 2016 ZHRC work plan owing to limited resources. The activities implemented by the TWGs are outlined below: 10.1 Children’s Rights Thematic Working Group Key recommendations of the Concluding Observations on the Second Periodic State Party Report of Zimbabwe (January 2016) on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) talks to the need to capacitate ZHRC and its TWG on Children’s Rights to become an effective independent monitoring mechanism on implementation of children’s rights in the country. The need for such capacitation came to the fore when the Commission participated in the Child Rights Conference attended by over 250 delegates organized by Civil Society Organisations under the umbrella of the Child Rights Coalition coordinated by the Zimbabwe National Council for the Welfare of Children (ZNCWC) from 28 – 29 September 2016. The Conference deliberated on the UNCRC and African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Protecting, Promoting and Enforcing Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms