11. Key recommendations to strategic actors The following proposal to strategic actors, draw largely from preceding violations reports compiled between 2012 and 2017, wherein GALZ recommended actions to government, civil society and the private sector to support an enabling, social, political, legal and economic environment for the full recognition of LGBTI rights. (i) The Government of Zimbabwe The government of Zimbabwe is a key actor in influencing change in how issues of sexual orientation and gender identity are addressed at both state level and among the ordinary population. Government, through its ministries and departments, has opportunity to enact policies that provide a conducive atmosphere to recognising the rights of LGBTI persons. At the level of the public, the government wields strong influence through its pronouncements, which are likely to get an ear. Such pronouncements must include openly condemning wanton violence against against other persons based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. Furthermore, there is value in introducing provisions that punitively address any actions that promote or result in violence against people based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. At policy level the government has the opportunity to ensure that all policies recognise LGBTI persons as a group within society and that their needs are just as important as any other minority group. Reference is made here to accessing public healthcare services, legal recourse, economic inclusion and freedom from political persecution. Ensuring that legislation such the Public Order and Security Act is not used to limit LGBTI right to association and fellowship is also essential. Article 73 of the criminal code needs to be repealed and this is long overdue as there is need to align with regional and international conventions and treaties that Zimbabwe is signatory to. Ultimately LGBTI persons and their representative groups equally deserve recognition in important public fora in the same way other vulnerable or minority groups such women, youth, people living with disability have been accorded. An analysis of the state of human rights violations against LGBTI persons in Zimbabwe (2011-2017) 40