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The Herald, May 9, 1981

PREJUDICE and an unwillingness to accept women on an equal footing with men still prevail in Zimbabwe, the chairman of the standing committee, Mrs Jess Sanders, told the annual congress of the National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs here last night.

She said a study had been made of women in executive positions, “where sadly, very few women are reaching the top”.

“It is felt that schools could do more to encourage bright girls to aim high, not to be satisfied with the middle management, but to set their sights on top managerial positions.”

The legislation committee had made a study of divorce laws as they applied to African women.

“Infertility is still looked on as grounds for divorce and once a woman has been married she is considered second-hand and seldom remarries. Violence on the part of the husband is not considered a reason for divorce,” she said.

“We hope that through our new Ministry of Women’s Affairs, the plight of these women will be examined and action taken to give them some control over and access to their children, as well as their rights as women.”

The national president, Mrs SM Coventry, told delegates that with the establishment of the Zimbabwe National Women’s Association, some might feel that the federation had no future.

“I would disagree and say that we have a role to play and that it is essential that we continue to work towards our aims and objects,” she said.

“As business and professionals, we are skilled, experienced, and educated, and our role should be as the leaven which spreads throughout the dough . . . We cannot undertake large projects . . . Our function is to spread our principles through personal contact and example.”

Educated women, said Mrs Coventry, had a responsibility toward their less fortunate sisters and nothing would be accomplished unless they shared their knowledge and abilities.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

Globally, women are still under-represented in top leadership positions although significant progress was made last year when the proportion of women in senior management roles globally grew to 32 percent. 

The emancipation of women in Zimbabwe is underpinned by a number of pacts that the country is signatory to. These include the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development; the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa; the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

Government has shown its commitment to emancipate women through dedicating a Ministry for Women Affairs, as well as instituting a quota system for women in parliament that ensures that 30 percent of seats are reserved for women.