Effectiveness of the Gender Policy in the promotion of women leaders

The study assessed the effectiveness of the gender policy in the promotion of women leaders at Midlands State University, Zimbabwe. The study adopted both the qualitative and quantitative research approaches. Data were collected through individual key informants' interviews, focus group discussions, questionnaires and document analysis. A comparative analysis of female representation in various university structures and committees in 2005 and 2013 was done. A total of one hundred and thirty-four respondents participated in the study. The findings have shown that the gender policy has made slight improvements on the status of gender at Midlands State University. The female representation increased slightly in Council, Senate and greatest at deputy Dean/ Director level. However, leadership remains a male domain at Principal Officer, Dean/Director, Chairperson levels despite having the gender policy in place. The study recommends that the university Administrators should monitor the implementation of the gender policy and improve the status of women in leadership. The University should put in place a gender committee which is mandated to sensitize new members of staff on the policy.