Female realtors band together to form association

FEMALE realtors have banded together to form the Association for Women in Real Estate (Awire) to deal with the challenges they face.

Speaking during the launch of Awire this past weekend, the association’s co-ordinator Rufaro Nyakatawa said women were still finding it hard to penetrate the real estate industry, which was overwhelmingly male-dominated.

“Women in real estate face numerous challenges that hinder their growth and success. One major issue is the blurring of gender balance, where women are underrepresented in leadership positions and decision-making processes,” Nyakatawa said.

Real estate has traditionally been a male-dominated industry, with women facing barriers to entry and advancement.

According to Awire, women’s contributions to real estate remain underrepresented in leadership positions and face disparities in pay, training and networking opportunities.

This disparity has not only affected women’s careers, but has also impacted the industry’s diversity.

Nyakatawa said Awire sought to address these challenges by fostering a supportive environment where women in real estate can connect, share experiences and access mentorship programmes.

These connections, she added, would be done through advocacy for gender equality and creating inclusive opportunities.

Nyakatawa said the platform aimed to bridge the leadership gap by encouraging a more diverse real estate industry and debunked the misconception that women lacked capacity and skills.

“Bias stereotypes persist, with many assuming women lack the capacity and experience to excel in the industry. This misconception is exacerbated by limited opportunities for training and mentorship,” she added.

“Industry culture also plays a significant role, with entrenched masculine norms and exclusionary networks limiting women’s access to valuable connections and information.”

Women in Engineering chairperson Beverly Nyakutsikwa bemoaned the lack of participation and marginalisation of women across industries.

“Women are in projects, but not heading them, as they say we can’t manage construction sites. Despite equal qualifications, women are often overlooked for promotions and projects,” she said.

“Thus, industry’s culture and exclusivity further marginalised women. Male-dominated networking events and clubs exclude women, stifling connections and collaborations.”

Valuers Council of Zimbabwe chairperson Audrey Kwangwama encouraged women to collaborate instead of competing.

“In the competitive realm of real estate, women often find themselves pitted against one another, vying for the same clients, properties and successes,” she said.

“This unnecessary rivalry stems from societal norms and industry pressures, perpetuating a false narrative that there’s only room for a select few at the top.”-newsda