Addressing Socialism and Capitalism in Gender Balance: Economic Effect to Households and Workplaces in Zimbabwe

The study was based on assessing how socialism and capitalism as economic philosophies affect gender equity in the Zimbabwean environment. The reason being that after Zimbabwe's independence in 1980, the new government introduced equity with growth ideology to manage the country's economic resources. This was a correctional move meant to replace the colonial capitalist mode which benefited the minority at the expense of majority indigenous populace. Globally, there is an increase follow-up on a gender equity paradigm with an objective to uplift and improve recognition of women at both household and workplace levels. The study therefore assessed the relationship between economic governing philosophies and sustainability of the gender equity drive. A qualitative to quantitative sequential mixed method was used to get data from the respondents. The results of the study showed that in a socialist environment, gender balance has left both men and women enjoying their historical socio-setups with men still getting recognition as household providers, mandated and accepted to work for their families in work places. The capitalist perspective revealed that women upliftment results in their strong dominance both at household and workplace level. Respondents intimated that gender equity under capitalism triggered stress in men, reduced submissiveness of women to their male counterparts and eventually led to high levels of divorce. The study therefore recommended respect of gender equity as new global trend that can be enhanced through mutual communication at household and workplace level. Communication will help in removing the negative effect of economic ideologies and remove stigma that women will try to overpower their male counterparts.