OWIT-Zimbabwe, the local chapter of the global Organization for Women in International Trade (OWIT) will this year celebrate and empower women through an open for all market day and exhibition event to be held at ZRP Golf Club in Harare in celebration of International Women’s Day.
Owit-Zimbabwe President Buhlebenkosi Ostlea Nyathi said they were happy to celebrate and empower women through this open market day and exhibition event targeting women owned businesses.
“When you empower a woman you empower the nation and as we celebrate International Women's Day, we are excited to bring together women-owned businesses, entrepreneurs, and leaders from all over the country for a free for all and must attend open market day and exhibition," she said.
"It is going to be an unforgettable day of networking opportunities to connect with fellow women entrepreneurs at the same time exploring access to new markets and customers while learning from inspiring stories of women who are changing the game."
Nyathi, who is also the founder and CEO of Competitive Brand Shapers (CBS) and CEO of Competitive Branshapers, said the event was a good way to empower women.
“We are using this event to empower each other to succeed and I encourage my fellow women to attend our International Women's Day event and be part of a global movement that celebrates women's economic empowerment," she said.
"We are happy that the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Small to Medium Enterprises Development is fully in support hence our guest of honour is the Honourable Minister Mutsvangwa."
Mutsvangwa, who has worked with Owit-Zimbabwe and other women led organisations since her appointment, said she was happy to be party of the event together with her ministry.
- OWIT-Zimbabwe empowers and celebrates women
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"The ministry recognises the importance of empowering women and promoting gender equality, and we are honored to be propelled by them," she said.
"We are, therefore, happy to partner with Owit-Zimbabwe for the fourth edition of the open market day and exhibition to mark international women’s day.
"We invite all women to join us on March 5 as we celebrate women's achievements, discuss challenges, and inspire change."
According to Nyathi, the event will also become a launchpad for various tailored programmes for women among them mentorship programmes, a mental and physical wellness hub, funding opportunities as well as international trade all under the Owit-Zimbabwe banner.
“We are going all out in our women empowerment drive under Owit-Zimbabwe and we are inviting all women to come and learn more about this and more initiatives we are rolling out," she said.
"We are going to share more about how women can learn about our mentorship programmes, funding opportunities, international trade as well as wellness programmes."
The event is also sponsored by various organisations among them Netherlands Embassy in Zimbabwe, Bonvie Medical Aid, Competitive Brand Shapers and Nobby’s Quisine under Siyenza Investments, among others.
“We are grateful for the support we have received from our partners," Nyathi said.
"This has helped us cover related costs with a view to host the event on a free for all arrangement. We are grateful for these partners for their corporate social responsibility drive.”
Various brands are also going to showcase their services which will be offered at subsidized rates for OWIT-Zimbabwe members.
“We are also happy that a number of companies and leading brands are going to be part of this event as exhibitors showcasing products and services that can benefit our members.
These include Bonvie medical aid,Ecobank, Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers, Small to Medium Enterprises Development Corporation United Nations Women, Dairyboard, Daindairy, Kefalos, Securico and Sky Solar,” she said.
OWIT was established in 1989 and it’s a global association for women in international trade and business. The organisation focusses on adding value to corporate, medium, small enterprises and individual members around the world.
Their local chapter OWIT Zimbabwe was established in 2019 and membership is drawn from women of diverse backgrounds and offers immense networks and market opportunities to business women. Membership includes traders from sectors such as manufacturing, services, agriculture and tourism.
