Women keep breaking barriers in consultancy

Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndhlovu has applauded women for their continued efforts to break barriers in the consulting services sector after dominating the number of recently qualified Certified Management Consultant (CMC) graduates.

Of the five individuals who received their CMC professional certificates, four were females.

Speaking during the CMC certification ceremony convened by the Zimbabwe National Institute of Consulting (ZNIC) on Thursday, the minister said the achievements serve as a clear demonstration of the immense effort, unwavering determination and commitment of women in pursuing excellence.

“Your success is a testament to your hard work, perseverance, and commitment to excellence,” said Minister Ndhlovu.

He said that by reaching the milestone, the women had not only accomplished personal feats but had also opened doors for women in Zimbabwe and beyond, solidifying the fact that gender poses no obstacle to attaining exceptional professional success.

The achievement serves as a source of inspiration, proving that with dedication and determination, women can break through barriers and achieve great heights in their professional endeavours.

“You have not only achieved a personal milestone but also paved the way for other women in Zimbabwe and beyond, proving that gender is no barrier to achieving professional excellence,” Minister Ndhlovu added.

CMC certification fosters consistency in consulting services via a structured framework, delivering reliable quality advice that builds client confidence while emphasising continuous learning and ethical conduct to maintain trust and professional integrity.

It boosts consultant credibility by assuring clients of their adherence to global standards of competency, ethics and client satisfaction granting them a competitive edge.

Speaking at the same event, Mr Edward Kallon, Head United Nations country representative, added that women played an important role as essential contributors to the productive forces within any nation and are of utmost importance in driving development forward.

It is of great importance to provide women with mentorship and training opportunities that enable them to develop the necessary skills for leadership, as this ensures their valuable contributions and services in the future.

“Ensuring women have the necessary skills to lead through mentorship and training opportunities is crucial for their future services,” said Mr Kallon.

The dedication displayed by this professional institution in its contribution to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) five is truly commendable. By recognizing the significance of gender equality as a fundamental element in the journey towards sustainable development the ZNIC will be playing a crucial role in advancing all the SDGs.

This commitment serves as an inspiration and a catalyst for positive change.

“The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) five which is your central thing today is pivotal for achieving all the SDGs and your dedication to contributing to the success as a professional institution is commendable. Gender equality is a key element in our journey towards sustainable development, said Mr Kallon.

Minister Ndhlovu said the achievement of this qualification by male recipients deserves equal applause as they exhibited remarkable competence and ethical behaviour, thereby establishing a noteworthy standard for others within the profession to aspire to

“To the men who have earned this qualification, your achievement is equally commendable. You have demonstrated a high level of competence and ethical conduct, setting a benchmark for others in the profession,” said the minister.-herald