Copious Challenges Faced by Women in Leadership in the Zimbabwean Society

by Patience Itai Hove
June 1st, 2012
The purpose of this project was to assess the copious challenges faced by women in leadership in the Zimbabwean society. The research focused on women in leadership in the Christian, private, and public sectors. The scope of the research included establishing the source/foundations of these challenges to determine the impact they had on women. The project also investigated the role played by men to aggravate or alleviate these challenges.

The study established that general perceptions, beliefs, and practices are evident across the sectoral divide. Issues that arise in the home or private sector tend to spill into the church and vice versa. The challenges faced by women thus tend to be similar across the sectors. These include the following among others: difficulties in reconciling business and family obligations; gender discrimination and stereotypes; recruitment procedures, which are not women friendly; lack of contacts and access to networking; and weak provisions of childcare facilities at the workplace.

The descriptive qualitative research design was identified as the most appropriate for the study with the interview and questionnaires as the tools for use. The research findings were consistent with the objectives of the study. The methodology confirmed that the challenges faced by women were deeply rooted in the cultural beliefs and practice; thus a new way of approaching the matter was suggested.

The theology of gender cross-pollination compliments male and female equally. It is not biblically, theologically, or culturally correct for one gender to rule over another, nor to be ruled by another. As a result, there is need to raise the females to top leadership positions by creating equal opportunities. Secondly, it should be noted that men were the creators of the problem; thus, they should be part of the solution. There is need to abandon practices that perpetuate male dominance and embrace those that promote complementarity.

A paradigm shift in cultural practices would see men supporting and affirming women, which will result in the amendment of legislation and acceptance of biblical examples of women who lead. I further recommended that women enhance their personal effectiveness and the girl child be adequately educated, mentored, and exposed to

leadership roles by her predecessor.