opportunities in political, economic and social spheres. Further, it prohibits discrimination on a myriad of grounds including sex, gender, pregnancy and marital status98. The Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23] 2.4 This Act, which came into operation in July 2006, recognises both girls and boys as potential victims of sexual abuse. It prohibits trafficking of persons for purposes of prostitution and imposes stiff penalties for violations. The Act also prohibits wilful transmission of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Above all, the Act prohibits marital rape, primarily to protect women against HIV. 2.5 Part V of the Act also criminalises harmful cultural practices, including the pledging of female persons as compensation for the death of relatives or for other reasons. 2.6 The Prevention of Discrimination Act, the Domestic Violence Act, the Zimbabwe Gender Commission Act and the Administration of Estates Act also give effect to the constitutional provisions outlined above99. Administrative Measures, Institutions and Policies 2.7 Government established the Zimbabwe Gender Commission whose functions include the monitoring and investigation of possible violations of rights relating to gender and the securing of redress where rights have been violated. 2.8 There are several other independent Commissions that complement the work of the Zimbabwe Gender Commission and 98 99 Section 80 and section 56 of the Constitution Chapter 8:16, Chapter 5:16, Chapter 10:31, Chapter 6:01 Page | 74