Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Pre-session working group – Zimbabwe 7 2.1 RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT OF ZIMBABWE In order to address Operation Murambatsvina’s disproportionate impact on women’s right to work, Amnesty International has recommended to the government of Zimbabwe to
Immediately end the police harassment of street vendors and small and micro businesses.
Review and revise the implementation of Operation Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle in respect of vending sites with the genuine participation of informal vendors and traders with a view to progressively increasing the availability and accessibility of secure vending sites. While progressively working to increase access to regulated vending sites, the government must not impede the right to an adequate standard of living and the right to gain a living by work of those who do not have access to such vending sites. Any limits placed on the right to gain a living by working (for example, by engaging in informal vegetable selling, with or without licence) should be reasonable, legitimate and proportionate and take into account the absence of alternatives for the majority of people and the human rights implications.
Investigate all allegations of discriminatory allocation of vending sites in Harare. Ensure that the procedure for allocation of vending sites fully respects the human rights principle of non-discrimination.
3. RIGHT TO HEALTH (ARTICLE 12) Article 12(2) of the CEDAW requires states to ensure women’s access to appropriate services in connection with pregnancy, confinement and the post-natal period, granting free services where necessary. In General Comment 24 the Committee noted the duty of State parties to ensure women’s access to safe motherhood and emergency obstetric services. The Committee recommends to states to “reduce maternal mortality rates through safe motherhood services and prenatal assistance” (General Comment 24, para 31(c)). Pregnancy-related health complications are a primary cause of maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality in Zimbabwe.3 According to the 2007 Zimbabwe Maternal and Perinatal Mortality Study the country’s maternal mortality rate is reported at 725 per 100,000 live births and the neonatal death rate is 29 per 1,000 live births.4 Quality care before, during and after delivery, including skilled birth attendance and emergency obstetric and neonatal care have been identified as key interventions to save women’s and newborns’ lives under the Global Consensus for Maternal and Newborn Health.5 According to the 3 Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, 2007 Zimbabwe Maternal and Perinatal Mortality Study. 4 Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, 2007 Zimbabwe Maternal and Perinatal Mortality Study. 5 A new Global Consensus for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, was agreed in 2009 by a broad range of governments, non-governmental organizations, international health agencies, and individuals, through Index: AFR 46/014/2011 Amnesty International June 2011