Among the main concerns associated with the limited reporting is the lack of effective victim friendly law enforcement and judicial institutions. Deteriorating and under resourced medical services with shortages in health personnel and important medicine are among other concerns associated with the response to SGBV cases. Recommendations: UNHCR recommends that the Government of Zimbabwe: a. Strengthen protection mechanisms and responses to gender-based violence, including by ensuring victims have access to social and legal support and by ensuring that cases of SGBV are promptly and effectively prosecuted and resolved by the courts; and Address the continued high prevalence of violence against women and girls, including by strengthening training for the judiciary and law enforcement personnel to enhance their capacity to respond effectively to cases of violence against women and girls. Additional protection challenges Issue 5: Access of refugees to fundamental human rights Lack of formal access to wage-earning employment Refugees do not have formal access to the labour market and are therefore compelled to work in the informal sector, often working under duress, or in jobs presenting special hazards and risks. In order to reside in urban areas, refugees have to demonstrate that they have the wherewithal to fend for themselves, yet they are not allowed to seek formal wage earning employment. Nonetheless, refugees with resources to run private businesses are authorized to do so, and those who are qualified in professions with limited human resources, such as health services, may be allowed to work. Lack of freedom of movement Zimbabwe has an encampment policy requiring all refugees to stay at Tongogara Refugee Camp. Detention is used for migration-related offences, including unlawful entry, employment without an official permission to work and exiting the refugee camp without authorization. Notwithstanding the use of detention in these cases, about 14% of refugees and asylum-seekers live in urban areas. As of 1 January 2015, there were 100 known registered refugees and asylum-seekers who had been detained throughout 2014 across the country for migration-related offenses and were eventually released though UNHCR’s intervention. Recommendations: UNHCR recommends that the Government of Zimbabwe: a. Withdraw its reservations to Article 17 (wage-earning employment) and Article 26 (freedom of movement) of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees; b. Allow refugees to have access to the formal labour market and to enjoy the right to freedom of movement. Human Rights Liaison Unit Division of International Protection UNHCR 7

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