Harare — ZIMBABWE should set up a justice commission to investigate all cases of political violence and human rights abuses that occurred since the country's independence, a coalition of women's organisations has said.

The Women's Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCOZ) said a justice commission was vital to unravel injustices, particularly against women as the nation moves towards a new political dispensation.

Speaking during a one-day meeting on "Zimbabwean Women in Transition" recently WCOZ director Netsai Mushonga said it was important to break the culture of impunity that has characterized the country's history.

She pointed out that women were the most affected people during last year's political violence and other times of instability.

"The issue of social justice is highly critical during this period because it will decide whether or not we become a peaceful society or remain a violent society where we adopt a culture of violence to make social and political change in our country," said Mushonga.

The WCOZ director bemoaned the absence of mechanisms to cater for women whose rights were violated during the liberation struggle and Gukurahundi Massacres of the early 1980s, which killed about 20 000 people.

"You will remember that Zimbabwe went through a protracted liberation struggle where gross violation happened against women, but after independence there was no process to address all this," she said.

"After independence we had the Gukurahundi massacres and then we had subsequent acts of politically motivated violence with last year being the worst. So these are all issues we need to address."

Speaking at the same meeting Swedish ambassador to Zimbabwe Sten Rylander, a special guest at the meeting, concurred saying transitional justice was important to allow the nation to move forward in the same manner that countries such as South Africa have done.

"I think transitional justice is very important. At least people should be transparent and accountable for what has happened in order for things to move forward in a nation," said Rylander.

"I don't mean that you should hang anyone you know but facts should come out and taken into account in order for people to move forward as they did in South Africa and other countries that had gone through difficult and violent times."

The meeting, which brought together hundreds of women from grassroots level, leaders in politics, civic society and academics, was designed to find out how women can effectively engage and participate in the new political dispensation to better their lives.

The deputy Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs Jessie Majome said the current Constitution discriminates and disempowers women in their every day lives.

She urged the women's movement to take advantage of the opportunity presented by the pending Constitutional Review process to craft a gender sensitive Constitution.

In a brief analysis of the current Constitution, Majome gave 12 reasons why it is discriminatory to women.

One reason she mentioned was that Section 23 does not protect women in private spaces such as homes or offices, adding that this is discriminatory because it is in the home where most violations against women's rights take place.

Majome said what section 23 of the current constitution does to women is "nothing short of criminal".

"Although there have been attempts to change Section 23 of our current constitution I maintain it is the worst constitutional provision in the world as far as women's rights are concerned." said Majome.

Former National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) chairperson and gender activist Thoko Matshe said women must take advantage of the constitutional review process to empower themselves.

Matshe urged women to forget about "dancing and singing men into power" and focus on the real issues that improve their lives.

The Minister of Women's Affairs, Gender and Community Development Olivia Muchena conceded that women were underrepresented in the inclusive government but urged them to fight for a new constitution that prevents such issues in future.

"The GNU (Government of National Unity) is irreversible now but what we must now fight to do is to ensure that we contribute to bring out a new constitution that will fight our battles for us in future," Muchena said.

"The work begins now and I urge the Women's Coalition of Zimbabwe to work very hard to engender our constitution."