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Ellen Chasokela Herald Reporter
The Zimbabwe Gender Commission has bemoaned the low number of women sitting on the boards of parastatals and those holding senior management positions, despite constitutional requirements compelling organisations to observe gender balance when making the appointments.

In a statement last Friday, the ZGC said it had carried out a survey that unearthed the anomaly.

“In February 2017, the Commission carried out a baseline survey on the gender composition of staff in Government institutions (ministries, departments or agencies) as part of its monitoring process,” reads part of the ZGC statement.

“It was noted during collation of the data provided then that 68 percent of senior management staff in all Government ministries were men, while women were 32 percent.

“The survey also established that in parastatals, 79 percent of chief executive officers were men, while women constituted only 21 percent. In managerial positions in parastatals, men constituted 74 percent, while women were 26 percent.

“The heavily skewed gender composition of board members were under various ministries then were no different as men constituted 65 percent, while women only made up 35 percent.

“The survey, therefore, revealed a gender imbalanced occupational structure characterised by both vertical and horizontal segregation. The structure resulted in fewer women in decision making compared to men.”

ZGC has urged all ministries to ensure that they achieve gender balance in all State institutions as required by the Constitution.

The Commission also raised concern on the failure by line ministries to take corrective measures despite being advised to do so.

“The Commission has noted that of the boards appointed since 2017, none has shown gender balance,” it said.

“It has sent advisory notes to all ministers upon appointment in 2018 and other relevant authorities drawing their attention to the constitutional provisions.

“Regrettably, no measures have been taken by ministries to use emerging opportunities to ensure the closing of the gender gaps in terms of representation on boards of State enterprises and parastatals. If anything, most recent appointments show a consistent trend to deliberately disregard gender balance as required by the Constitution.