The Sunday Mail
Ms Vongai Marime
WOMEN constitute over 50 percent of Zimbabwe’s population. Government has acknowledged the role they play in all sectors of the economy, especially through SMEs sector where many are active. However, they still lag behind men due to lack of information, financial management skills and stereotypes which affect their growth in industry and commerce.
Organisations such as the Zimbabwe Association for Women in Industry (ZAWII) are stepping up efforts to assist women entrepreneurs grow their businesses. A fortnight ago, ZAWII hosted the inaugural Zimbabwe Women’s Business Fair (ZWBF) to help women entrepreneurs market their products and services as well as create linkages. Our Business Reporter Enacy Mapakame caught up with ZWBF chairperson Ms Vongai Marime (VM) and discussed women’s participation in business.
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Q: What exactly is ZAWII? What is your plan to boost businesses owned and operated by women?
A: The Zimbabwe Association for Women in Industry is a grouping of women drawn from various sectors of industry and commerce with the main aim of encouraging women to get involved in mainstream business.
ZAWII has a number of projects planned in order to boost businesses operated by women such as the recently-ended ZWBF. This provided an opportunity for women to showcase their products and services as well as an opportunity for linkages and other business ideas.
Not forgetting the business convention where it inspired other women to have a business mind and to grow their current businesses.
Q: Two weeks ago, ZAWII hosted its first Zimbabwe Women’s Business Fair in Harare. How did the market respond? What was your target in terms of exhibitors and buyers?
A: The response was overwhelming. As witnessed, we managed to get big corporates on board. The main challenge was getting women who are in business, which is a reflection that most women do not in understand the purpose of such exhibitions and how it helps them in their respective businesses.
Our main target was all women, those in business and those who are not in business so as to inspire them into entrepreneurship.
Q: How do you see such platforms helping women entrepreneurs now and in future?
A: Through such programmes as the business convention, issues of formalising our businesses are addressed and we encourage as many women to do so. Even as an association, through our projects, we will continue to do so.
Q: Women entrepreneurs have cited lack of information on funding options and other issues such as company registration. What is ZAWII doing to address this anomaly? Do you think Zimbabwe takes women-led businesses seriously?
A: There are means and ways of funding our businesses that are available for women. Even through associations, relevant ministries and other organisations. We would also like to appeal to the Government to set up a women’s development bank as it will complement other initiatives already set up by Government. Women have not been visible in mainstream business. The small businesses we have, have managed to survive, which shows that if we get better access to finance or equipment and other requirements, business would be easier.
And, yes, Zimbabwe does take women-led businesses seriously, we have a ministry for women that is very much encouraging women to get serious in business. We have women-led businesses providing employment. We have loans being given to women. That shows how Zimbabwe is taking us seriously.
Q: The SME sector is now the biggest employer in the country. How do you assess the inclusion, performance and leadership of women as business owners in this sector? Where are they getting it right or wrong?
A: Our challenge is we build a comfort zone in our small businesses. Some of us do not think of growing bigger or we are doing what the next woman is doing in possibly the same way. That is why majority are all bundled up in the same sector or levels.
Q: Interactions with some women entrepreneurs have shown that most remain unskilled in financial management, leadership and corporate governance. Do you believe Government is doing enough to build capacity in these areas? What can women do to help themselves get better at managing finances?
A: We have received a lot of help and advice in financial management. And some women have maintained these and have kept their businesses well. There has been a number of workshops and public addresses that we have been exposed to. So, if one really wants assistance in terms of financial management, there are places to go even through the ministries.
Q: How do you foresee the economic role as played by women shaping up, say, in five to ten years from now?
A: There is still a lot of work to be done, but it looks bright. Women are getting more serious, getting exposure and a lot of support from Government through the relevant ministries; so, the future looks bright for women in business. Women constitute the higher percentage in our country’s population, therefore, we should be seen contributing more to the country’s economic transformation, and we see that happening.
