eBusiness Weekly
Princess Ncube
Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube, has commended Nestle Zimbabwe for its gender policy and called on other companies to strike a gender balance. He was speaking during a tour of Nestle factory in Harare this week.
“It is my understanding that in terms of gender balance the company’s employees are 47 percent women, and that is an example for other companies,” he said.
This comes as Nestle Zimbabwe has committed to empowering more women by employing them as distributors of its products.
“They (Nestle) have a programme over the next three to four years where they will be employing 10 000 women to distribute Nestle products especially those small sachets for Cerevita and Cremora, that is really small and medium enterprise empowerment,” said Minister Ncube.
Government has over the years been making strides towards gender inclusive environments on political, social and economic levels.
For example, the recent establishment of Zimbabwe Women’s Microfinance Bank is meant to empower women in businesses through provision of affordable and accessible capital.
Half of its board composition comprise of women therefore striking a gender balance and inclusivity.
There have been fewer women in top positions due to stereotyping, discrimination and gender blind practices which also account for marginalisation in the work place.
However, Government is addressing the gender disparities. President Emmerson Mnangagwa appointed several female ministers, among them Minister Kirsty Coventry, which was a great development to the gender disparities that were a hindrance towards achieving balance.
Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) director Rosemary Siyachitema, attributed socialisation and ideology from the family unit as key in moulding attitudes in both men and women and how they would take on societal roles.
“It is a two-way street, women have to desire to be in power on the other hand men should appreciate them as their equals and be given the opportunity to lead as it is given to men,’ she said in an interview with Business Weekly.
Zimbabwe’s Constitution provides a strong legal framework for the promotion and attainment of gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Further, Zimbabwe is a state party to key regional and international human rights instruments and companies have to work towards gender balance in adherence.
