• Joyline Chiedza
• 08 Sep, 2025

HARARE – The Women’s Action Group (WAG), in collaboration with Womankind Worldwide, hosted a significant networking and mentorship summit for 30 women leaders this past Friday at Crown Plaza, Monomotapa Hotel.

The event convened a diverse group of change-makers from organizations including the Young Women's Forum, the Women's Coalition of Zimbabwe, and several independent groups from Harare, Bulawayo, Bindura, and Marondera. The gathering was also attended by Mrs. Mlambo, WAG's board chairperson.

The day’s transformative discussions were driven by a panel of five distinguished veterans, each a powerhouse in her own right.

· Echenia Chifamba, a serial entrepreneur and founder of Shamwari YeMwanasikana;

· Netty Musanhu, a veteran lawyer and former director of the Musasa Project;

· Pastor Emeldah Nyaradzo Vhiriri of Cultivate Africa Organisation;

· Isabella Matambanadzo, an author and Zimbabwe Country Strategist for Womankind Worldwide; and

· Mrs. Ednah Masiyiwa, the retired director of WAG and a fellow of Women Leaders Worldwide.

Their dialogue with attendees covered critical themes for modern leadership, including building and leveraging networks, navigating organizational politics, building legacy and impact, current trends in the movement, and cultivating resilience in the face of adversity.

In her address, Mrs. Loveness Rukuni, Director of the Women’s Action Group, emphasized the paramount importance of networking for women's leadership. "Women's Action Group is committed to providing these essential platforms for learning and mentorship," she stated. "Our vision is to host these forums regularly to continuously strengthen leadership and foster powerful collaborative networks among women leaders, funding permitting."

Participants reported a immediate and positive impact from the event. Diana Harahwa of the YouthAdapt Initiative shared her key takeaway: "What I appreciated most was the nurturing platform that reminded us to embrace often-overlooked aspects of our journey. The biggest lesson was that authentic leadership requires holistic care—prioritizing our physical and mental well-being, and nourishing our lives with healthy habits. We can become so consumed with public policy advocacy that we forget to care for the advocate within."

The training served as a catalyst for building stronger, more supportive professional networks aimed at empowering a new generation of women leaders across Zimbabwe.