welcome innovation absent from the current Constitution. The provision of this commission is also in keeping with Zimbabwe’s obligation under Art. 2(c) of CEDAW to ensure through competent national tribunals and other public institutions the effective protection of women against any act of discrimination. 11.2 Similarly, the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission is a promising innovation. It is imperative that women be adequately represented on this Commission as well to ensure to ensure perspectives of both gender in discussions of conflict resolution, peacebuilding and community dialogue. 11.3 Recalling Clause 2.9 in Chapter 2 on National Objectives, women should be half the membership of all Commissions. The only provision for gender balance in Commissions can be found in Chapter 18, Clause 3 which requires that the chairperson and deputy chairperson of each commission be of a different gender. It would have been preferable if this mandate was set forth in Chapter 12 in clauses on the composition of each commission so as to make sure the gender balance mandate is justiciable. 12.Chapter 14: Provincial and Local Government 12.1 Clauses 14.5 on Provincial Councils makes some provision for the presence of women. First, it requires the presence of the women from the province occupying the temporary seats in the National Assembly. Second, sub clause 3 requires the 10 persons elected through a system of proportional representation in sub clause 1(f) to be elected through a party-list mechanism in which women and men are listed alternately, with a woman heading the list. 12.2 Clause 14.6 on Metropolitan Councils contains a temporary measure to ensure some presence of women by including the women members of the National assembly elected to the temporary seats from the metropolitan province in sub clause (d). 12.3 Neither clause effectively ensures that women are equally represented at all levels of government as contemplated by the Gender Balance Clause 2.9 in National Objectives. It is recommended that additional efforts be taken to ensure actual gender balance at all levels of government, including provincial and local governments. 13.Chapter 15: Traditional Leaders 13.1 16 | P a g e Traditional leaders play an important role in communities as custodians of traditional values and customs. They preserve a community’s unique identity and cultural diversity. It must be noted, however, that too often, women suffer the worst forms of discrimination by way of justifications grounded in cutlural values and practies. As such, traditional leaders are in the unique position to promote equality and women’s rights within the context of tradition and cultural preservation. Their unique role as resolving community disputes and promoting community and family values can create important opportunities for empowering women and increasing their participation in public life.