The first-ever Owit Zimbabwe climate awareness training for women in business has been hailed a resounding success, bringing together policymakers, academics and entrepreneurs to advance climate action in the private sector amid a challenging global environment.
The one-day training attracted women entrepreneurs from diverse sectors, with speakers commending participants for their commitment to aligning business growth with climate action at a time when climate-related risks are increasingly threatening livelihoods and enterprises.
Lead facilitator Ven Tauringana, a professor of Accounting and Sustainability at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom, delivered a comprehensive session on the barriers facing small and medium enterprises.
He unpacked both structural constraints and firm-level challenges, while stressing that climate change presents real and growing risks, particularly for women-led businesses that often operate with limited buffers against shocks.
The training also explored climate change adaptation, with participants learning that its origins lie largely in human activities and that meaningful solutions require individuals, communities and businesses to adjust how they live and operate.
The government's stance on climate action was underscored by the principal director in the Environment, Climate and Wildlife ministry Benjamin Mandevere, who reaffirmed the State’s strong commitment to addressing climate change.
He warned that failure to act would not be borne by one sector alone, but would be a collective failure with far-reaching consequences.
Another key highlight was a session on climate finance and the pathway to Net Zero through science-based target initiatives (SBTi).
Participants were guided on how to begin their SBTi journeys and gained practical insights into the critical role of climate finance in enabling sustainable transitions.
The session proved empowering, as many women identified new opportunities for growth and innovation within the climate action space.
Chief director in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Lillian Takaendesa, emphasised the centrality of women’s empowerment in national development.
She noted that women constitute about 52% of Zimbabwe’s population, making it imperative for policies and programmes to intentionally prioritise their empowerment, including in climate-related initiatives.
The training also benefited from the invaluable contributions of experts from the University of Zimbabwe, who provided technical insights and enriched discussions throughout the day.
OWIT Zimbabwe president Buhlebenkosi Ostlea Nyathi, an entrepreneur whose company is the first in Zimbabwe to attain Net Zero certification from SBTi, expressed appreciation to Tauringana and the University of Southampton for sponsoring and leading the programme.
“This training is a powerful opportunity for women entrepreneurs to position their businesses for the future,” said Nyathi.
“Climate action is no longer optional. By embracing sustainability and climate finance, women-led enterprises can unlock new value, strengthen resilience and compete globally.”
Building on the success of the inaugural edition, Owit Zimbabwe has announced that the second edition of the one-day climate awareness training will take place next Saturday, at the same venue.
Organisers said they were looking forward to welcoming even more participants to continue the critical conversation on climate action and women-led business sustainability.