Can a woman lead? unmasking culturally-sanctioned gender inequality among the Lemba of Mposi area, Mberengwa

Abstract

The research focuses on the history of the Lemba people, the roles played by women in Lemba societal life and the capability of women to lead in Lemba culture as well as their potential to lead. Various techniques were employed to sample the respondents from Mposi area to gather data that was necessary for the study. Interviews and observations were used in this study. The research findings revealed that women have important roles to play in Lemba culture even though they are looked down upon by their male counterparts especially their being treated unfairly in some of the rituals. However, women have potential to lead in Lemba culture since they can perform some duties which are usually ascribed for men only. Lemba women also recommended some ways to combat gender inequality in their culture. It is recommended that the elders in Lemba culture should revisit some issues which lead to gender inequality.