A Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Litigation Guide for Zimbabwe

I was compelled to write this SRHR (Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights) litigation guide after being unexpectedly immersed in a project necessitating strategic litigation within this domain. As I navigated the intersecting legal, social, and practical complexities, it became apparent that there existed a conspicuous dearth of accessible, contextually grounded resources—particularly within Zimbabwe and the broader Southern African region. Despite the increasing recognition of SRHR as a critical axis intersecting human rights, public health, and social justice, there remains a significant void in practical guidance tailored to legal practitioners, activists, and civil society actors engaged in litigation. Much of the extant literature is either excessively generalised, embedded in foreign legal frameworks, or predominantly concerned with policy advocacy rather than the nuanced realities of litigation strategy. This lacuna rendered an already intricate undertaking even more formidable. The decision to write this guide was thus both a pragmatic and principled response—an effort to demystify SRHR litigation, to distil and share insights borne of practice, and to equip others who may find themselves required to act swiftly and strategically within a legally complex and resource constrained environment.