Rutendo Chirume
MASVINGO-THE Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) has called on government ministries, departments and agencies to ensure the effective implementation of a breastfeeding travel policy introduced by the Public Service Commission (PSC), saying it is an important step towards creating gender-responsive and family-friendly workplaces.
The Commission commended the PSC for responding to its advisory on the challenges faced by breastfeeding mothers in the public service, allowing eligible female employees to travel with their babies and a minder on approved official trips.
The policy follows efforts by the Public Service Commission to improve conditions of service for breastfeeding mothers in government employment. According to the PSC’s first-quarter 2026 publication, The Public Service Sentinel, a framework allowing breastfeeding public servants to travel with their babies and accompanying minders had been developed by the end of 2025.
The development was also prompted by concerns raised by the Zimbabwe Gender Commission over the challenges women face when required to undertake official trips while breastfeeding.
In a press statement issued on November 2, 2026, the ZGC said the policy recognised the difficulties breastfeeding mothers face in balancing their professional responsibilities and childcare.
Issued on October 23, 2026, the policy allows public servants with children aged up to two years to travel with their babies and a minder on approved official assignments within Zimbabwe.
Under the arrangement, the relevant ministry is responsible for meeting the minder’s transport, meals and accommodation costs, subject to established approval procedures and budgetary provisions.
The minder must be at least 18 years old, while applicants are required to submit written requests accompanied by supporting documentation.
The ZGC urged government institutions to ensure that eligible employees are informed about the policy and can access its provisions.
“The Commission encourages all Ministries, Departments and Agencies to ensure the effective implementation and communication of the policy so that eligible employees can access its provisions,” the statement reads.
The Commission further called for continued reviews of workplace policies to strengthen support for breastfeeding mothers and promote work-life balance.
It said the policy gave practical effect to constitutional provisions on gender equality and the protection of women’s rights, particularly Sections 17, 56 and 80 of the Constitution.
Section 17 requires the State to promote gender balance and women’s full participation in all spheres of life, while Section 56 guarantees equality before the law and prohibits discrimination, including on the grounds of sex and gender.
Section 80 further guarantees women equal dignity and opportunities with men in political, economic and social activities.
The Commission also commended the PSC for its response to the recommendations it had made on the matter, describing the intervention as a significant step in addressing workplace inequalities affecting breastfeeding mothers.
“The Zimbabwe Gender Commission commends the Public Service Commission for its prompt and timely response to the Commission’s advisory on this matter, and for prioritising the issue as an urgent gender equality concern requiring attention, particularly in addressing the challenges faced by breastfeeding mothers in the public service,” the statement reads.
