Progressive women emancipation organisation, Empowered Women, successfully hosted a highly subscribed international conference and awards event from Friday to Saturday at Rainbow Towers Hotel in Harare.
Dubbed the Universal Woman Unleashed Conference, the inaugural edition of the annual event was attended by progressive women from all over the country with some coming from as far as Chiredzi, Mutare and Bulawayo.
Speaking at the event, guest of honour and women empowerment enthusiast Buhlebenkosi Ostlea Nyathi, who is Zimbabwe Chapter president of the Organisation for Women in International Trade (OWIT) thanked the organisers for bringing women together under the banner of excellence and productivity.
"Women are leaders and they play an important role in community and national development and I am encouraged to see you gathered here as you explore ways to get ahead and stay ahead in business.
"We are the ones we have been waiting for and the sooner we wake up to that reality the better. We must explore excellence and productivity even beyond the borders. This is why we are pushing the women in international trade narrative because the possibilities are endless," Nyathi said.
The respected businesswoman who runs a successful value added dairy products business said women should explore exponential growth in all their pursuits.
"It's now time for women to think big in their business pursuits as compared to some piecemeal vending ventures that do not amount to much.
"Starting small is not a problem, but we must have foresight and aspire to achieve the best possible success in our ventures," she said.
Various speakers, among them thought leader and people development expert Arthur Marara, challenged the women to see beyond gender in their pursuit of excellence.
"Women must not be apologetic in chasing their dreams. Yes you are a woman and that shouldn't stop you.
"Women are capable and it's time to become the best and hang around progressive minds. Don't sell your gender, sell your agenda and you will be respected for your capabilities and achievements," Marara said.
Celebrated businesswoman Zodwa Mkandla of Traverze Travel also gave a moving presentation of her life journey and encouraged the women to complement each other instead of competing.
"The world is full of possibilities. I am one person who started from the bottom, but I thank God for the ability to follow my dreams. I am also grateful for the vision-helpers that came to my aid, " Mkandla said.
It's over 20 years in business now and even with all the accomplishments I continue aspiring to be the best. Never settle for less, always seek to grow your work."
Various women among them creatives and influencers like Candice Mwakalyelye and Lorraine Guyo also shared their life stories commending Empowered Women for the life changing programmes and initiatives.
"Empowered Women is God-sent and I am grateful for the various initiatives they have championed for my good.
Yes, I was in business and I was influencing but being part of Empowered Women has changed my perspective on life. I have made significant progress and investments thanks to the teachings and ideas sharing," Guyo said.
Other speakers at the event among them Odiline Kava, Langelihle Sibanda and Faith Nyamukapa encouraged the women to continue on the path of excellence.
Each presentation ended with a question and answer session, which allowed the women to probe further and get more insight from the shared life nuggets and topics.
One of the conference highlights was the panel discussion, which had men answering to pertinent issues relating to gender equality and women empowerment.
Business consultant Benjamin Nyandoro and musician-cum-entrepreneur Tembalami were also part of the panel and they shared some insights on the roles men can play in women emancipation.
Empowered Women founder and national director Sibonokuhle Buhlungu thanked all the participants and partners for making the inaugural International conference a big success.
"This is our first international conference and we thank the coordination team, our partners and all the participants for making this event a big success.
We are hoping for a bigger and better edition in 2024 and we have plans to host it out of Harare. The overall goal is to empower women and we are encouraged by our strides to date," she said.
The conference, which saw fast rising musician Bernard Betera as well as Samukelisiwe and Tembalami entertaining guests, also acknowledged efforts by the efforts of various members who got awards for their exploits.
Women Affairs, Community, Small to Medium Enterprises Development minister Senator Monica Mutsvangwa who also graced the event thanked Empowered Women for their well thought out programmes and pledged to continue working with them in 2024.
"The president has continued with the leaving noone and no place behind narrative and this is an ideal we have embraced as a ministry and indeed as a government,"she said.
"We are looking forward to a bigger and better 2024 working with Empowered Women and we thank you for complementing government efforts through your initiatives."