Constitution of Zimbabwe: Chapter 2: National Objectives

The constitution has several objectives

• Objectives to guide State and all institutions and agencies of Government – The objectives set out in this Chapter guide the State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level in formulating and implementing laws and policy decisions that will lead to the establishment, enhancement and promotion of a sustainable, just, free and democratic society in which people enjoy prosperous, happy and fulfilling lives. Regard must be had to the objectives set out in this Chapter when interpreting the State’s obligations under this Constitution and any other law
• Good governance – The State must adopt and implement policies and legislation to develop efficiency, competence, accountability, transparency, personal integrity and financial probity in all institutions and agencies of government at every level and in every public institution, and in particular, appointments to public offices must be made primarily on the basis of merit

Measures must be taken to expose, combat and eradicate all forms of corruption and abuse of power by those holding political and public offices. The State must ensure that all institutions and agencies of government at every level, in particular Commissions and other bodies established by or under this Constitution, are provided with adequate resources and facilities to enable them to carry out their functions conscientiously, fairly, honestly and efficiently

• National Unity, peace and stability – The State and every person, including juristic persons, and every institution and agency of government at every level, must promote national unity, peace and stability
• Fostering of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms – The State must take all practical measures to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in Chapter 4 and to promote their full realisation and fulfilment
• Foreign Policy – The country must ensure its foreign policy takes into consideration the interests of Zimbabwean, is in respect to international law and promotes peaceful co-existence with other countries
• National Development – The State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must promote national development initiatives
• Empowerment and Employment creation – The State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must take measures to empower, through appropriate, transparent, fair and just affirmative action, all marginalised persons, groups and communities in Zimbabwe. They must also take necessary measures to create employment for all Zimbabweans, especially women and youths.
• Food Security – The State must encourage people to grow and store adequate food, secure the establishment of adequate food reserves and encourage and promote adequate and proper nutrition through mass education and other appropriate means.
• Culture – The State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must promote and preserve cultural values and practices which enhance the dignity, well-being and equality of Zimbabweans and Zimbabwean heritage
• Gender Balance – The State must promote full gender balance in all sectors of the Zimbabwean society
• Fair Regional Representation – The State must promote the fair representation of all Zimbabwe’s regions in all institutions and agencies of government at every level
• Children – The State must adopt policies and measures to ensure that in matters relating to children, the best interests of the children concerned are paramount
• Youths – The State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must take reasonable measures, including affirmative action programmes, to ensure that youths, that is to say people between the ages of fifteen and thirty-five years are empowered and employed
• Elderly Persons – The State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must take reasonable measures, including legislative measures, to secure respect, support, empower and protection for elderly persons and to enable them to participate in the life of their communities

• Persons with Disabilities – The State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must recognise the rights of persons with physical or mental disabilities, in particular their right to be treated with respect and dignity.
• Veterans of the Liberation Struggle – The State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must accord due respect, empower, honour and recognition to veterans of the liberation struggle, that is, those who fought in the War of Liberation, those who assisted the fighters in the War of Liberation and those who were imprisoned, detained or restricted for political reasons during the liberation struggle
• Work and Labour Relations – The State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must adopt reasonable policies and measures, within the limits of the resources available to them, to provide everyone with an opportunity to work in a freely chosen activity, in order to secure a decent living for themselves and their families. They should also provide permanent employment or conditions necessary for self-employment
• Protection of the Family – The State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must protect and foster the institution of the family and in particular must endeavour, within the limits of the resources available to them, to adopt measures for the provision of care and assistance to mothers, fathers and other family members who have charge of children and the prevention of domestic violence.
• Marriage – The State must take appropriate measures to protect against forced marriages and child marriages
• Education – The State must take all practical measures to promote free, compulsory basic education for children and higher and tertiary education and education is accessible to girl
• Shelter – The State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must take reasonable legislative and other measures, within the limits of the resources available to them, to enable every person to have access to adequate shelter
• Health Services – The State must take all practical measures to ensure the provision of basic, accessible and adequate health services throughout Zimbabwe
• Social Welfare – The State must take all practical measures, within the limits of the resources available to it, to provide social security and social care to those who are in need
• Legal Aid – The State must take all practical measures, within the limits of the resources available to it, to provide legal representation in civil and criminal cases for people who need it and are unable to afford legal practitioners of their choice
• Sporting and Recreational Facilities – The State must take all practical measures to encourage sporting and recreational activities, including the provision of sporting and recreational facilities for all people
• Preservation of Traditional Knowledge – The State must take measures to preserve, protect and promote indigenous knowledge systems, including knowledge of the medicinal and other properties of animal and plant life possessed by local communities and people
• Domestic of International Instruments – The State must ensure that all international conventions, treaties and agreements to which Zimbabwe is a party are incorporated into domestic law

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