DOI: 10.36347/sjahss.2018.v06i01.040

Pages: 252-258

The study was undertaken on the basis of mixed methods research approach using an explanatory sequential mixed methods design. Stratified sampling was used to select 20 participants and the available sampling technique was used to select eight participants who served as key informants to cater for both quantitative and qualitative research sampling techniques. Closed-ended questionnaires and open-ended interviews were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative research data were presented and analysed using tables, while qualitative data were presented and analysed narratively using thematic analysis. The determinants of gender inequality in Bindura rural area of Zimbabwe included culture, religion, patrilineal and matrilineal societies, expected societal gender roles based on sex, professions and decision making roles. The researcher concluded that culture oppresses women since it tends to favour men, thereby, creating gender inequalities. Another conclusion from the study was that partriarchical and matriachical societies dictate situation specific gender inequalities that obtain in Bindura rural area. A third conclusion from the study was that most expected societal gender roles based on sex, professions and decision making roles tend to discriminate men and women in Bindura rural area. The researcher recommends the need for the society to treat men and women equally since Bindura rural area is part of an egalitarian Zimbabwean society. A second recommendation from the study is that the Ministries of Primary and Secondary Education, Labour and Social Welfare, and Gender and Women Empowerment among other government departments need to come up with programmes to inform Zimbabweans about issues of gender equality. There is also need for more research in the area of gender equality needs to spread to other parts of Zimbabwe.