Old Mutual Zimbabwe empowers women in finance
ROBIN PHIRI
Old Mutual Zimbabwe is deepening its commitment to empowering women in finance through its Women in Leadership Series, hosted in partnership with New Faces New Voices (NFNV) Zimbabwe.
The annual event welcomed women across the finance sector, creating a platform to celebrate achievements, foster leadership, and amplify women’s influence in the industry.
Speaking at the event, Lillian Mbayiwa, Head of Group Marketing, Public Affairs and Sustainability at Old Mutual Zimbabwe, highlighted the company’s dedication to advancing gender equality through initiatives such as the On the Money Financial Literacy Programme.
“While initiatives like On The Money empower women, it is equally important to cultivate spaces for leadership and influence within the finance sector. The finance industry is both the heart and the brain of any economy and creating platforms such as the Women in Leadership Roundtables, which we have been hosting annually in partnership with NFNV, is critical for advancing women in the field. These roundtables help build networks, foster learning from one another, increase visibility and amplify our voices and influence,” she said.
Themed “Rooted and Radiant: Celebrating the Whole Woman,” the event brought together ambassadors, government representatives, and women leaders in finance. Mbayiwa encouraged attendees to ignite their own radiance, celebrating their achievements, journeys, lessons, and challenges. She emphasized that recognizing women’s contributions both inside and outside the workplace is key to inspiring excellence and creating a brighter future for communities.
Keynote speaker Dr. Sacrifice Madenyika Chirisa underscored the societal importance of women’s empowerment, urging women to be bold, take risks, and support one another. Drawing on personal anecdotes, he stressed the need to confront past traumas and challenges.
“Please, deal with the things that are holding you back. Time does not heal. If you do not face the issues, time does not heal. That’s why you’re still crying in your own office or in your own, when you’re lying on your bed about something that happened 15 years ago. Because your mind does not know the concept of yesterday or the future or the things in the present,” Dr. Chirisa said.
He urged women to take decisive action, saying: “I want you to make a decision that in 2026, I’m going to deal with anything. Go on…”
Dr. Chirisa further highlighted that self-esteem and confidence are vital for unlocking women’s potential, and he encouraged celebrating collective success. He emphasized that women should build one another up and take pride in each other’s achievement00
