Call to bridge gender gap

Diversified media group, Zimpapers, has shown a zeal towards the empowerment of women and bridge the gender gap that is still prevalent in various spheres of the economy.

Through its subsidiaries, BoldAds and Capitalk 100.4 FM, the group wrapped up the international Women’s month of March with an interactive webinar that brought experts in investments, business leadership as well as wellness and health that are some of the major concerns for women.

During the interactive webinar, it was acknowledged that women play a critical role as the anchors in their immediate families and communities but are still lagging behind especially in mainstream economic activities.

Associate investment consultant at Intellego Investment Consultants, Vimbai Ndowora, highlighted the need for women to inculcate a culture of saving and investment that is still low in the country.

Although, she acknowledged the country’s investment space is not as broad as other countries, she demystified investments by providing various available options that women can take up such as unit trusts and shares on the stock market.

“We need to have multiple streams of income and I know most women in Zimbabwe have a side hustle.

“You do not need a lot of money to save or invest, you can always start from somewhere, from the little you have. Invest that little to preserve value, generate income say from dividends as well as create wealth for future generations.

“We all get old and one day won’t be able to run around working and we can always fall back to those investments,” she said.

Manyara Mercy Chigunduru

She also acknowledged the economic uncertainties caused by for instance inflationary pressures or natural disasters such as bad weather which affects economic activity.

She said: “One may wonder if it’s necessary to save or invest after what happened in 2008.

“Investments can be slow, gradual and a painful process before you start reaping benefits but very necessary and beneficial in the long term.”

In Zimbabwe, capital markets for instance offer an investment option but uptake is still low with financial inclusion in this area estimated at 1 percent, as they are regarded as elitist and a preserve of a few and institutional investors.

Efforts, however, are being made to increase products that appeal to more retail investors and boost their participation.

Also speaking during the same webinar, renowned business woman and Marianhill Chartered Accountants founder and managing director, Manyara Mercy Chigunduru,,implored women to come out of their comfort zones and dare to be different. That way, she said can make them attract sponsors who will take them to the next level on the leadership ladder.

“You need to be in the right networks. Sponsors are the people who take you to the next level, to the right people but you need to be exceptional in what you do in order to attract the attention of a sponsor,” she said

She added there were vast opportunities available in the leadership space and women need to take advantage of such and fill the gap.

“Dare to be different, we need to bridge the leadership gap,” she said.

Participants also gained knowledge on fitness and wellness from renowned fitness coach and trainer Evonne Mudzingwa who is the founder of Eves Wellness Brand which encompasses fitness classes, wellness events, charity events and a running club franchise.

Mudzingwa highlighted the need for a healthy lifestyle for women of all age groups.

“There is not enough education on why girls need to exercise, they stop participating in sports and pay attention to make up.

“As women we need to maintain a healthy lifestyle starting from the food we eat as we go through various stages of developing, from puberty, to pregnancy and menopause,” she said. The webinar which also attracted gents was a wrap up of the celebrations held during women’s month.

It was sponsored by Marianhill Chartered Accountants, an accounting and advisory services firm that advises businesses that span across all sectors and sizes on practical and workable solutions to enhance their business processes and growth.

The accounting firm provides services to both the domestic market and international market and such services include assurance services, accounting services, governance advisory, strategy advisory, project management, tax advisory, and corporate finance.-sundaymail