Zimbabwe: Demystified gender disparities in all Human Resources practices

Historically, most jobs have been shared among men and women on the basis of their biological make up and in many cases, woman have earned peripheral jobs, yet high posts and other perceived risk areas for women were strictly reserved for men. Driving council heavy vehicles was a taboo, while working in the Fire rescue services was predominantly for men. On the other hand, it was laughable for men to be employed as a Nurse, worse still a Midwife.

However, the adoption and implementation of Human Resources Practices skewed in favour of the hitherto disadvantaged women, the Council has seen a number of women being employed in previously male dominated areas, with some women taking up heavy duty driving, plumbing, Managerial and Directorship posts. The good practice will ensure equability in economic distribution among employees of council employment and ensure gender disparities are corrected for achievement of 50-50 among all.

The practices sort to ensure gender equity in all areas of council activities where men and women are given equal opportunities. Particularly to ensure fairness and deliberately promote women in Recruitment and Selection, Promotion, Management Development, Training and general employment relations at the work place. The project sets to increase the number of women workers in hitherto male dominated areas.

The project came about on council’s realization that less women were being employed in all areas of council and there were other areas which had become male dominated. In order with scenario, the council had to come up with deliberate polices to for higher woman participation and involvement in governance. The project is responding to gender disparities in council employment.