PAFA hails Zimbabwe women accountants

ROBIN PHIRI

The Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA) has praised Zimbabwe’s Women Accountants Conference as a defining moment for gender inclusion in the profession, with vice president Prem Govender calling it “a catalyst for change” that is reshaping the leadership landscape.

“This forum for the advancement of women in accountancy is a catalyst for change. It unites stakeholders under a common goal to create a profession where women have equal opportunities to excel and lead,” Govender said.

The event, held under the theme “Elevateher: leading with purpose and power – reimagining leadership, redefining impact, and rising together”, has been hailed as a beacon of empowerment and solidarity.

Organisers said it marked a clear declaration that women in accounting, finance, audit, and tax are not only rising but are determined to rise together, “higher and stronger than ever before.”

Govender emphasised that the profession’s future requires leaders who are driven by ethics, accountability, and transparency. “Reimagining leadership means embracing these strengths. It means redefining leadership away from dominance and hierarchy to one that is empathetic, innovative, and transformative. It means creating boardrooms and executive suites where diverse voices shape policy, governance, and strategy. And ladies, we can do it.”

She urged women to support each other rather than compete, warning against what she termed the “pull her down syndrome.”
“The pull her down syndrome, we find ourselves constantly pitted against each other especially in professions with a predominance of men. Ladies, men are not our enemies, we are our worst enemies. We want to compete with each other instead of collaborating, we have become our own worst enemies,” she said.

Advocating for mentorship and sisterhood, Govender underscored the importance of intergenerational learning and empowerment: “When women come together to mentor, sponsor, and advocate for each other, they can achieve extraordinary things and overcome even the most daunting challenges.”

The conference brought together women from across Zimbabwe’s banking, finance, and corporate sectors, underscoring a collective determination to collaborate on driving inclusivity in leadership.

Manyara Chigunduru, president of the Zimbabwe Forum for Women in Accounting (ZIFWA), said the event was a milestone in building resilient leadership.
“Resilient leadership is more than enduring hardship. It is about anticipating change, adapting, and rising stronger. For women in accounting, in finance, auditing, governance, and taxation resilience is not just a personal trait, it is a collective mission. And this is precisely why the Zimbabwe Forum for Women in Accounting exists,” she said.

Founded to empower and elevate women accountants, ZIFWA aims to increase female representation in senior leadership roles and provide a platform for mentorship, advocacy, and recognition. Chigunduru said the organisation is also opening doors for students and young professionals.
“At ZIFWA, we are intentional about embracing the next generation. We open our doors not only to women already established in the profession, but also to students in universities and high schools. By bringing them into these spaces, we encourage them to rise early, to meet leaders who inspire them, and to see what is possible when they aim higher,” she added.

Chigunduru called on women professionals to lead with courage, visibility, and solidarity. “As ZIFWA, we call upon women to invest in growth, be visible and vocal, build networks of solidarity, and lead with courage,” she said.

The inaugural conference, delegates said, signalled a turning point for the profession, embedding resilience, empathy, and inclusivity at the heart of leadership in accounting.