Complexities of transitional Justice: An Assessment of Socio-economic Reintegration of Female Ex-combatants in Zimbabwe 1980-2013: The Case of Harae Metropolitan Province

Abstract

This study sought to understand the complexities associated with the transitional justice process in the socioeconomic reintegration of women ex-combatants in Zimbabwe after 1980. Women ex- combatants feel betrayed and neglected by the government almost three decades into independent Zimbabwe. This suggests that the socioeconomic reintegration strategies implemented by the Zimbabwe government were not effective in addressing the plight of women ex-combatants in the post war era. That the socioeconomic reintegration strategies implemented by the Government of Zimbabwe were not effective show that transitional justice processes are difficult undertakings that are fraught with complexities and contradictions. This qualitative study used Harare Metropolitan Province as the case study to dig deep into issues affecting the socioeconomic reintegration of women ex-combatants in post-independence Zimbabwe. Through in-depth interviews with key informants, focus group discussions and documentary analysis the study sought to get a nuanced understanding of the complexities surrounding the socioeconomic reintegration of women ex-combatants. The major findings of this study are that socioeconomic reintegration of women ex combatants in Zimbabwe was fraught with difficulties right from the beginning. The government was more concerned with post war reconstruction that focused more on rebuilding the physical infrastructure than dealing with the invisible emotional wounds of the women ex-combatants. Women ex-combatants went through mind excruciating experiences which deserved counselling and rehabilitation programmes after the war. However, these programmes were not made available to the women ex-combatants to help them cope with the war related stresses in the post war era. Women ex-combatants are yet to enjoy full benefit from programmes such as the land reform and indigenization. The study suggests that women ex-combatants have to be consulted and the government should show full political will so that women ex-fighters can derive satisfaction from socioeconomic reintegration.