Practices and challenges in implementing women’s right to political participation under the African Women’s Rights Protocol in Zimbabwe Ellen Farisayi Zvobgo* and Cowen Dziva** ABSTRACT: The African Women’s Rights Protocol in article 9 affirms the equal participation of women in political and decision-making processes. This article largely relies on literature to examine the domestic effect of this provision in Zimbabwe, following the ratification of the African Women’s Rights Protocol in 2008. Accordingly, this article explores the importance of article 9, deciphering the significance thereof. It also examines the adequacy of legal, policy and institutional practices, and the persistent challenges to women participation in public life. Guided by article 9 of the Protocol, Zimbabwe made considerable strides in ensuring women’s political participation. While significant outcomes have been noted, women’s participation is in most cases below the 50 per cent set by article 9. This underperformance emanates from the fact that most legal and institutional measures aimed at ensuring women participation are limited in scope, not effectively disseminated and insufficiently executed due to limited resources and political will. Besides, women continue to face persistent forms of gender based violence, poverty, socio-cultural and institutional barriers, which limit their political participation. This article recommends political and electoral reforms including the change of electoral system to proportional representation, introduction of mandatory political party and national gender quotas, levelling of the political playing field, and engaging in innovative and widespread research, lobbying and advocacy for equal women participation in public life. TITRE ET RÉSUMÉ EN FRANÇAIS: Pratiques et défis dans la mise en œuvre du droit des femmes à participer à la vie publique au Zimbabwé aux termes du Protocole relatif aux droits des femmes en Afrique RÉSUMÉ: L’article 9 du Protocole relatif aux droits des femmes en Afrique garantit la participation égale des femmes à la vie politique et à la prise de décisions. La présente réflexion s’appuie largement sur la doctrine pour examiner l’effet de cette disposition en droit interne zimbabwéen suite à la ratification du Protocole en 2008. Par conséquent, la réflexion explore l’importance de l’article 9, en analysant son sens. Elle examine également l’adéquation des pratiques juridiques, politiques et institutionnelles ainsi que les défis qui persistent quant à la participation des femmes à la vie publique. En s’inspirant des dispositions de l’article 9 du Protocole, le Zimbabwé a fait des progrès considérables en vue de garantir la participation politique * MA in Gender Studies (Makerere), Uganda; Med. Educational Psychology and Med. Educational Administration (Zimbabwe); Director of the Nehanda Centre for Gender and Cultural Studies, Great Zimbabwe University, Zimbabwe; zvobgoef@gmail.com ** MA Development Studies; BA (Midlands State University, Zimbabwe); Lecturer, Nehanda Centre for Gender and Cultural Studies, Great Zimbabwe University, Zimbabwe; cdziva@gzu.ac.zw 60 EF Zvobgo & C Dziva ‘Practices and challenges in implementing women’s right to political participation under the African Women’s Rights Protocol in Zimbabwe’ (2017) 1 African Human Rights Yearbook 60-81 http://doi.org/10.29053/2523-1367/2017/v1n1a4