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Nduduzo Tshuma, [email protected]
THE underrepresentation of women in top management positions within the Bulawayo City Council has raised concerns about the lack of diversity and the potential neglect of women’s issues and views.
According to the latest council report, as at July this year, females had 19 percent representation in senior management or decision making positions that was from Grade thirteen (13) and above compared to males who had 81 percent representation.
The Report indicated that in middle management positions from Grade (9-12), females had 49 percent representation and males had 51 percent representation. Grade 9 had mostly nurses which was a position which was generally occupied by females.
“Overall, Council had a total of 47 percent female representation in both Senior and Middle Management Positions whereas males had 53 percent representation,” read the report.
The report further stated that as of July 2024, the local authority had a total of 38 councillors comprising 20 (53 percent) male and 18 (47 percent) female councillors including one person living with disability.
“Representation of Council Committee Chairpersons comprised of 2 (17 percent) females chairing the Future Water Supplies and the Health, Housing and Education Committees. There were also three 3 female deputy chairpersons chairing the Future Water Supplies, the Health, Housing, Education and Audit Committees,” read the report.
“There were a total of 81 junior Councillors that comprised of 42 (52 percent) females and 39 (percent) males including 2 (percent) living with disability for the year 2024.”
Overall, the report said as of June 2024, the organisation had a total of 3488 employees including full time and part time, with a total of 1191 (34 percent) females and 2 297(66 percent) male employees.
Meanwhile, the report said council implemented a Sexual Harassment Policy that was enforced and cases had been reported during this period under review.
“Council also provided maternity and vacation leave days. Council continued to take measures in line with the reasonable accommodation principle for persons with disabilities by providing ramps and disability friendly sanitary facilities in Council properties,” read the report.

One of the two female committee chairpersons in council, Councillor Ntombizodwa Khumalo called on the Government to intervene on the appointment of senior management to achieve gender parity.
“The disparity shows that women do not have an equal voice in terms of decision making and programming. Maybe as they appoint senior management, they should ensure that there is gender balance,” said Cllr Khumalo.
“Our Mayor and deputy are male, committee chairpersons and deputies are male dominated and this shows you the extent of disparity in terms of representation.”
She said while the senior management may be gender sensitive, she feels there is still an element of patriarchy hence the need for gender parity.
“We have a number of issues like water and sanitation, the distribution of sanitary pads in schools among other issues so it is important that we have perspectives from women at the highest decision making level because those in the middle management implement what has been decided by the higher offices,” said Cllr Khumalo.
Gender activist Ms Patience Phiri said the statics especially at the top management are heart-breaking.

Patience Phiri

“If top management has 81 percent males that means they are the ones deciding, budgeting, town planning and many other things. At 19 percent, what are women going to do?
“That is stunted growth, then we shout from the top of the mountain about period poverty, nutrition all of these things because the people making the decisions are not the people living the reality.”
She said the history of patriarchy should see efforts in achieving gender balance in institutions including council.
“We are pushing for newness, parity, equity. We don’t to be men but to be in positions and sit on the table and discuss critical issues. We continue to call for parity and equity,” said Ms Phiri.
However, Bulawayo deputy mayor Cllr Edwin Ndlovu said while they note the disparities in representation, the local authorities has instruments to ensure gender inclusion.

Bulawayo Deputy Mayor, Mr Edwin Ndlovu

“The fact that there are more male directors than female does not necessarily mean that issues to do with women are looked down upon. We are a responsible local authority that follows the statutory requirements for gender issues.
“We have a gender focal person who makes sure that our budget is streamlined for gender issues,” said Cllr Ndlovu.
Cllr Ndlovu said the increase in the number of female councillors has also boosted female representation in the local authority.
“The situation with the directors does not mean that we have abandoned issues affecting women,” he said.