Editorial Note : Ngenani Special Issue,2025

Abstract

On 21 November 2024, at the Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University (ZEGU) Harare Campus and also virtually, the Faculty of Heritage, Humanities and Societal Advancement (FHHSA) spearheaded a conference under the theme, ‗Positioning Gender and Human Rights Ethos into a Heritage Centred Economy.’ The conference brought together experts, policy makers and practitioners from various fields to discuss innovative strategies for integrating gender and human rights into heritage conservation. Through panels, breakaway workshops, and keynote speeches, participants examined the challenges opportunities associated with this integration.  The goal was to develop actionable recommendations that can guide future heritage practices and policies, ensuring they are inclusive, equitable and reflective of the diverse cultural landscapes they aim to preserve. The four subthemes included: the endogenous heritage-based economy, rights-based development, gendered economies and gender and sustainability. The articles in this Special Issue speak to these themes.