PRESS STATEMENT
Calling for an End to Violence, Harassment, and Confiscation of Workers’ and traders in the informal economy Goods as Part of the Fight Against Gender-Based Violence
Date: 03 December 2025
The Zimbabwe Chamber of Informal Economy Associations (ZCIEA) joins the nation and the global community in commemorating the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). As an organisation representing millions of workers and traders in the informal economy across Zimbabwe, we strongly condemn all forms of violence, harassment, intimidation, and arbitrary confiscation of goods that continue to affect workers in the informal economy—particularly women, youth and persons with disabilities.
Violence against informal traders is a form of GBV because the majority of informal workers in Zimbabwe are women who rely on vending and small enterprises to support their families. When their goods are confiscated, when they are chased from trading sites, or when they are subjected to verbal, physical or sexual harassment, this not only violates their human rights—it deepens poverty, widens gender inequalities, increases domestic violence, expands vulnerability of children and destroys livelihoods.
1. Violence and Harassment Must Stop
ZCIEA calls on all law enforcement agents, local authorities, security personnel, political actors, and community leaders to immediately stop all acts of violence and harassment against informal traders. Women traders, in particular, report frequent intimidation, assaults and degrading treatment while simply trying to earn a living for their families. Such conduct fuels a hostile environment that promotes corruption and undermines national GBV prevention efforts.
2. Confiscation of Goods Is a Direct Attack on Livelihoods
The confiscation of goods—often without due process, receipts, or alternative trading options—constitutes economic violence. For many traders, the loss of goods means loss of income, inability to pay rent or school fees, and increased vulnerability to exploitation. Women heads of households bear the greatest burden. Economic abuse is a recognised form of GBV, and these actions must be urgently addressed.
3. Promote Safe, Dignified and Gender-Responsive Trading Spaces
ZCIEA urges local authorities to establish clear, transparent, and gender-responsive systems for managing trading in the informal economy. This includes removal of all such draconian laws, providing adequate trading spaces, sanitation, lighting, and security to ensure that women traders can operate in safe environments free from intimidation or sexual exploitation.
4. Strengthen Stakeholder Collaboration in Ending GBV
We call for stronger collaboration between Government ministries, Parliament, local authorities, ZRP, CSOs, and community organisations to ensure that GBV prevention strategies also include protection of workers and traders in informal economy. ZCIEA stands ready to work with partners to develop solutions that safeguard livelihoods while promoting order, dignity, and human rights as part of the pathway into National Development Strategy Two towards upper Middle Income Economy by 2030.
5. Respect the Constitutional and Human Rights of Workers and Traders in the Informal Economy.
Section 24 of the Constitution recognises the right of every person to work and pursue a livelihood. Workers and traders in the Informal Economy are not criminals—they are an essential part of Zimbabwe’s economy. Their rights must be upheld and protected, not violated.
6. ZCIEA’s Commitment
As the national voice of informal workers, ZCIEA will continue to:
• Advocate for policy reforms that protect informal traders from violence and harassment.
• Provide awareness-raising, paralegal support, and human rights education to empower traders.
• Engage authorities to promote laws and practices that are fair, gender-sensitive, and respectful of human dignity.
• Stand in solidarity with all women and men who face violence in their daily work.
• Push for promotion of Social Protection Cover for workers and Traders in the informal economy as part of the mainstreaming agenda.
Conclusion
Ending GBV requires collective action. We cannot talk about ending gender-based violence while livelihoods are being destroyed, women traders are being abused, and informal workers operate under fear. We call on all stakeholders and duty-bearers to respect human rights, uphold the law, and work towards peaceful, safe, and inclusive economic spaces for everyone—especially women who form the backbone of the informal economy.
ZCIEA strongly demands: No to violence. No to harassment. No to confiscations. Yes to dignity, safety and protection for all workers and traders in the informal economy.
Issued by:
Zimbabwe Chamber of Informal Economy Associations (ZCIEA) 03/12/2025