They are certainly not being confrontational, but they mean business. They are no longer satisfied with operating on the periphery.
This statement was made loud and clear at a “Women Get on Board” seminar series launched in Harare yesterday where issues to do with women rising to the top were under discussion.

The seminar series was organised by the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries, Professional Women, Women Executives and Business Women’s Forum, International Council of Swedish Industry, Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Mines and Women Alliance of Business Associations  of Zimbabwe.

Panellists and discussants included Africa Sun Limited chief executive Dr Shingi Munyeza, Securities Commission of Zimbabwe  chairperson Willia Bonyongwe, Standards Association of Zimbabwe director-general Eve Gadzikwa, Institute of Directors executive director Mr Edward Siwela and founder and CEO of Lasof leadership Institute Dr Charles Mugaviri.

They debated the issue, but were all in agreement that it was only fair that more of the fairer sex be taken on board.
Impediments such as men’s unfair advantage over women as perceived and low           self-esteem on the part of the women themselves needed to be addressed.

While inroads have been made in this regard, the general feeling was that most boards in the public and private sector could use a feminine touch.
Women could bring the transformational leadership that has become the buzzword.

But why should they make this a case? Is it not obvious that if their candle shines bright enough they will be noticed.
If they work hard enough they will be picked? Must they not display the exuberance found in men and be noticed? Apparently that is not the case as discussions yesterday would show.

The playing field still needs a lot of levelling. The Corporate Governance Code currently being finalised is silent on gender issues.
Research by the Zimbabwe Women Resource Centre and Network shows that  women represent 16,9 percent in listed firms,  10,6 percent on State enterprises boards and 41,6 percent of posts in business organisations. In some instances, a board of 13 members only has one woman who feels quite lonely in such a set-up.

There certainly aren’t enough women sitting at the tables where decisions are made. Debate yesterday showed that the finger sometimes has to be pointed at the women themselves because some were not groomed and had not benefited from mentors.

Initiatives to groom them were generally non-existent except for a programme by the Proweb.
Socialisation also made some women shy away. As one Alice Walker said: “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking that they don’t have any.”
“Women leave before they leave — they take themselves out of the running for career development because they want to have a family. Yet they need to lean in and not pull back,” said ZWRCN executive director Naome Chimbetete in a report she co-authored with Anne Madzara.

Women yesterday felt that those people that have been on boards for decades should pave way for new blood. This would create opportunities for more women to be appointed.

Minister of Women’s Affairs, Gender and  Community Affairs Dr Olivia Muchena said the new constitution was the major trump card for women as they seek to rise to the top.
The draft constitution states equal representation of women in commissions and such organisations.

It also provides a lot of leeway that is bound to see a change in the complexion of most boards and corporate bodies.
Proweb says these seminar series are aimed at interrogating the non-policy and non-legislative barriers that hinder women’s participation in executive and board leadership positions.

Suprisingly, Zimbabwe has various policies and laws that are meant to facilitate increased participation by women at such levels but very little progress has been made.
“This initiative will contribute to the broader initiative which descends from the Millennium Development Goals and Zimbabwe Broad Based Women’s Economic Framework implementation plan and strategic interventions.

The frameworks aim to empower women so they participate in key decision-making in both public and private sectors within the next five years.
This feat can be achieved if we all put our minds to it. Certainly, yesterday’s seminar inspired women to aim for the top.

A mentorship programme set to be launched between women at various leadership levels should yield positive results.
This certainly dovetails into the project called Zimbabwe. If more women participate in the right numbers and at the right levels the economy will emerge the winner.
Globally, it has been ascertained that women do 80 percent of the work anyway so why not let them help influence policy.

The project called Zimbabwe needs the full participation of both men and women. The project called Zimbabwe needs concerted efforts.
Under this project, such issues as pettiness, jealousy, bring-her down syndrome and any such retrogressive behaviour has no space.

The project called Zimbabwe is about transforming the economy in a sustainable way. The US$100 billion economy by 2030 is no fallacy. It must come to pass.
In God I Trust.

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