ZOU Celebrating Women in Leadership Positions

The month of March is significant to both Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) and all women worldwide because not only do we celebrate the birth of ZOU on 1 March 1999, and currently its silver jubilee but we also celebrate the International Women’s Day on March 8 which goes on throughout the month.

Among other transformative initiatives, ZOU has also improved its gender mainstreaming efforts in line with the Government’s Vision 2030, and Education 5.0. Accordingly, in terms of women in leadership, ZOU has led by example, ensuring that women in the academic arena get the recognition and support they deserve. The Zimbabwe Open University has been the flagship for having the first female Vice Chancellor in the country (the late Professor Primrose Kurasha, 2003 to 2016). Professor Kurasha first made history in 2001, when she was appointed the first female Pro-Vice Chancellor in Zimbabwe at ZOU responsible for Finance and Administration then to Vice Chancellor.

While women have always played significant roles in sustaining communities with their biggest impact being on the home front, they are also an integral part in the business front.  The number of women attaining decision making positions in the University is ample proof of ZOU’s commitment in this regard.  Accordingly, in terms of women in leadership, Zimbabwe Open University has led by example, ensuring that women in the academic arena get the recognition and support they deserve. Among the first crop of professors promoted by the ZOU in April 2013 were three females. Two of them Professors Chipo Chirimuuta and Enna Sukutai Gudhlanga were promoted to Associate Professor grade while Professor Primrose Kurasha was promoted to Full Professor Grade.  To date ZOU boasts of 8 female Professors, broken down as 2 Full Professors and 6 Associate Professors.  Below are the first ZOU female Professors.

These days, we begin to see women participating in university leadership. The Zimbabwe Open University promoted women to leadership positions of Dean and Regional Director. Directors, Deputy Bursar, Deputy Registrar among other positions of influence. Gender mainstreaming regarding staffing may have its own challenges, as some programmes, particularly the hard sciences, have traditionally been regarded as male domains. As a result, getting the women with requisite qualifications may be difficult.  Overall, despite Zimbabwe being a signatory to several regional and international treaties that promote gender equality, the patriarchal tradition still exists despite the strides that have been made in terms of gender parity and equity, particularly in higher education.

More details to follow…………………………………………….