The primary purpose of the study was to explore the gender differences on board of directors of public companies listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange. Both quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques were used. The study used archival data as the data contained the information relevant to the research area and were sufficient to meet the requirements of the original research. Qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews with key informants within the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange, observations and document reviews. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics while thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. The study showed that corporate Zimbabwe had fewer female seats on the board of directors and the pipeline of future women leaders was alarmingly thin. The low representation of women on the boards of directors was attributed to male-domination of the nominating committees and corporate leadership groups; lack of qualified women directors; systematic sex-based bias against women and women’s inability to develop strong networks. To create change in the representation and status of women on company boards required individual initiative by women and changes in both government policy and policy and procedures of companies when recruiting directors. The study recommended that the government should introduce a mandatory quota representation for each sex in non-executive board positions for companies listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange.
Keywords: Board of Directors; Gender; Public Limited Company; Zimbabwe Stock Exchange
