Abstract:
The continued failure of companies mainly with the majority of male board members prompted this research to
establish the importance of board heterogeneity, the role of women board members, their characteristics and how
their board presence can be utilised for improving corporate governance and stakeholder value. This study
derives from board composition which dictates that directors of substance should populate boards. The debate
on the utility value of women on boards was investigated using an interpretive enquiry. Document review
coupled with a semi-structured interview was administered to forty-two (42) respondents. Purposive and
snowball sampling were used to select respondents. Results of the research showed that women are thinly
populated in boards yet they are risk averse, prepare for meetings diligently, are objective, have integrity and are
protective of the organisation. The research recommends that bursaries and scholarships should be availed to
women and girls so that they get chances to go through all levels of education and end up as managers, a step
towards board membership. The government of Zimbabwe should make sure that steps are taken to enforce the
50:50 principle in management and that to cascade to boards. There should be advocacy for the need to infuse
women leadership in all walks of life.
