‘End gender imbalance in leadership positions’

Speaking at the 50 most inspirational women Zimbabwe awards 2023 in Harare last week, chief director responsible for gender policy planning and programme management at the Women Affairs ministry, Lillian Matsika Takaendisa said females were still being sidelined.
WOMEN in Zimbabwe still face difficulties in landing leadership positions in the corporate world, according to the Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development ministry.

Speaking at the 50 most inspirational women Zimbabwe awards 2023 in Harare last week, chief director responsible for gender policy planning and programme management at the Women Affairs ministry, Lillian Matsika Takaendisa said females were still being sidelined.

“It is unfortunate that women still face difficulties in finding opportunities, securing support and accessing leadership roles in the corporate landscape,” she said.

“It is unacceptable, women deserve to be recognised for the work they do in national development, improving their livelihoods and those of the families, communities they work and reside in.

“We must vow to ensure that women receive the representation they deserve not as token gestures. Women do not need to spend all their time proving their outstanding contributions in various spaces because their exceptional leadership abilities are already evident,” she said.

She further pointed out that women’s absence from boardrooms and top-tier positions continues to impede women’s progress.

“Gender imbalance in leadership positions, such as corporate boardrooms, is a matter that must come to an end. Women are entitled to a fair position in leadership, with their voices heard, and their opinions valued,” she said.

Takaendisa urged women to renew advocacy for gender balance in the boardroom, not as a moral obligation, but for the sake of better decisions and outcomes which do not impede progress on women empowerment issues.

“It is about time to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of women in leadership roles, celebrate their achievements, and promote them to take up more roles, creating better growth opportunities and outcomes in society,” she said.

She, however, commended women who made remarkable achievements in various sectors under difficult circumstances.

“They have displayed resilience, dedication, unwavering commitment and relentless hard work, shattering the barriers that many deemed impossible to break.

“However, we cannot overlook the challenges and obstacles that still hinder women from occupying leadership roles, particularly in the corporate world. This current reality is detrimental to the progress made in achieving gender balance, and it deserves urgent attention,” she added.

The awards were organised by the Women Corporate Directors Network Zimbabwe, an affiliate of the Institute of Corporate Directors Zimbabwe.-newsday