Decent Work as a Human Right for Women Informal Cross-Border Traders in Zimbabwe.

On 25 November 2025, Amnesty International Zimbabwe successfully launched a campaign called ‘Decent Work as a Human Right for Women Informal Cross-Border Traders in Zimbabwe.’

Attendees included representatives from the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Dev, the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the Immigration Department, Local Municipalities and Councils, CSOs, Informal Traders' Associations, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, and research key informants.

The campaign will bring together key stakeholders from government departments, ministries, CSOs, and the informal sector, among others, to build a foundation and secure buy-in and ownership from key partners. Developed in collaboration with partners working with informal traders, the initiative aims to protect and promote the human rights of women cross-border traders in Zimbabwe.

The campaign is based on Amnesty International’s report published on 8 March 2024. The report “Cross-border is our livelihood. It is our job.” sheds light on the experiences of women cross-border traders in Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, focusing on their rights to decent work and economic participation, social protection, and highlighting the challenges they face in conducting business. The report also provides recommendations for governments to address the challenges faced by women in informal cross-border trade.

You can download and read the report here: https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/...