National Constitutional and Legal Framework 1.7 As alluded to earlier on, in 2013 the new Constitution of Zimbabwe came into force. This Constitution is a product of a consultative process which was characterised by an extensive outreach exercise conducted to solicit views and input from Zimbabwean citizens from all walks of life. Women also got an opportunity to input into the document either individually or through the extensive efforts of the women’s movement working with the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development. This resulted in the Constitution largely reflecting the demands women made during the consultation processes and therefore carries a broader human rights framework. The Constitution provides extensive coverage of women’s rights including rights provided in the Maputo Protocol; in that regard it differs vastly from the previous Constitutional dispensation. It provides for among others: Zimbabwe’s respect for gender equality, respect for women’s rights by all state institutions agencies and entrenchment of women rights. 1.8 In order to realise these gains, Government has completed the process of aligning all gender related legislation to the Constitution. National Legislative and Policy Framework: 1.9 At national level, Government has always taken steps to ensure the promotion of the rights of women in different spheres. Government enacted several pieces of legislation and policies aimed at advancing gender equality as well as promoting women’s rights. These include: the Legal Age of Majority Act; the Matrimonial Causes Act; the Maintenance Act; the Administration of Estates Act; the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act; the Page | 72