Download the Zimbabwe State of Civic Space Report 2024 here
Zimbabwe’s civic space has increasingly faced significant challenges,
characterised by restrictive legislation, aggressive government
crackdowns, and a pervasive climate of fear that stifles free expression and
civic engagement. Civil society organisations (CSOs) are vital in promoting
human rights, accountability, and democratic governance, yet they operate
in an environment fraught with challenges that threaten their very existence.
This abridged report seeks to document the experiences of CSOs in
Zimbabwe as they navigate these hurdles while advocating for fundamental
rights and freedoms. It delves into the institutional experiences of these
organisations, the operational restrictions they face, their engagement with
regulatory authorities, and their perceptions of the shrinking civic space,
drawing insights from both national and grassroots organisations.
The research surveyed 67 CSOs in Zimbabwe, analysing the operating
conditions for national and grassroots-level entities, particularly in the
context of the proposed Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Bill. The PVO
Bill is a proposed law in Zimbabwe aimed at regulating the operations of civil
society organisations, with provisions that could potentially restrict their
activities. Only a small fraction of these organisations (16.4%) are registered
under the PVO Act, with the majority (59.7%) operating as trusts under the
Deeds Registries Act. If the PVO Bill is enacted, 83.6% of the surveyed
organisations would face illegality, necessitating immediate registration,
which raises significant concerns about administrative hurdles and political
interference.
Download the Zimbabwe State of Civic Space Report 2024 here