The Organisation of Women in International Trade (Owit) Zimbabwe has reinforced its push for climate-smart entrepreneurship following a second climate awareness training for women in business held in Harare yesterday, with participants and stakeholders calling for sustained support to translate knowledge into action.
The one-day session, which followed a similar training the previous week, brought together women entrepreneurs from diverse sectors alongside policymakers, academics and business leaders, at a time when climate-related risks are increasingly disrupting livelihoods, supply chains and enterprise growth.
Lead facilitator Ven Tauringana, Professor of Accounting and Sustainability at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom, delivered in-depth presentations on climate risk, sustainability reporting and the barriers facing small and medium enterprises as they adapt to climate imperatives.
He challenged participants to embed climate considerations into business strategy, governance and finance, arguing that resilience and competitiveness now depend on sustainability.
Owit Zimbabwe vice-president and secretary, Priscilla Zvidzayi, an international trade policy expert, hailed the strong turnout and engagement, saying the training demonstrated women’s growing resolve to align business growth with climate action.
“Women occupy a special place in the global economy, yet they are often the most exposed to climate shocks,” she said.
“This training is about equipping them with practical tools to protect their businesses and seize emerging green opportunities.”
Zvidzayi thanked partners and participants for committing time to the programme.
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Owit Zimbabwe president Buhlebenkosi Nyathi expressed appreciation to the University of Southampton for funding the initiative and urged more institutions to partner with OWIT in expanding climate action training.
She said the organisation was pleased to have convened women from different sectors under the Owit banner for tailored capacity building, with participants receiving certificates of attendance.
The Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries trade and regulatory affairs officer, Chinyaradzo Phiri, commended Owit Zimbabwe, the University of Southampton, the University of Zimbabwe and Tauringana for what she described as an excellently curated programme.
Phiri underscored the role of climate action in building stronger economies and highlighted the influence of business membership organisations in driving local economic transformation.
She also outlined the technical and economic dimensions of climate change, pointing to opportunities in green finance, cleaner production and climate-compliant trade.
“There are increasing benefits for businesses that align with climate action dictates, particularly in accessing global markets,” Phiri said.
Tauringana, a Zimbabwean academic widely respected in sustainability and climate action circles, acknowledged the enthusiasm shown by participants and pledged to continue mobilising partners for similar initiatives.
He said the zeal exhibited by local women entrepreneurs during the two-legged training underscored the need for sustained investment in climate literacy for the private sector.
Participants welcomed the practical focus of the training and called for follow-up sessions to support implementation, networking and access to climate finance, as Owit Zimbabwe positions women-led enterprises at the centre of the country’s climate response.
