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Zimbabwe's Women Making Progress in Fight for Property Rights

Columbus Mavhunga

   Most marriages in Zimbabwe are customary rather than legal unions that,
   if ended by divorce or death, leave the women empty handed.'¯ But a
   court ruling last year granted women the right to equal property if
   themarriage is registered.

   Thirty-nine-year-old JulietGwenere'scustomary marriage of 12 years
   ended in 2016. Shewas left with five children to care for and no
   property or support from her ex-husband.

   She was forced to move in with her mother in Chitungwiza town, about
   40kilometerssoutheast of Zimbabwe's capital, Harare.

   Gwenerewants her three daughters not to make the same mistake she made
   when they get married.

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