Proweb directory an excellent idea

opportunities?
While the traditional barriers are there, there is a school of thought that feels that this excuse is somewhat now threadbare for the modern woman.
Whichever side one agrees with, it cannot be argued that women often need to go out of their way and take practical steps to ensure that they get where they want to be, professionally and economically.
Efforts to influence policy have brought noticeable gains but more needs to be done.
And policy can only go so far. It provides an enabling environment but practical empowerment only happens when an individual takes up the chances that have been availed by the policies.
We applaud the initiative taken by one women’s empowerment outfit called the Professional, Executive and Business Women’s Forum (Proweb) to compile a directory of professional and business Zimbabwean women. This is a follow-up to the first edition, which was published in 2009.
The first edition had far-reaching influence. Profiles included contacts and several local organisations said they used the directory to find board members and other key personnel and have been asking for an updated edition.
International interest in the directory was also significant with the US Embassy in Zimbabwe using it to identify candidates for scholarship programmes.
Initiatives such as this have telling implications, as a number of well-known business and professional women have and still stand to benefit from the subsequent opportunities.
Recently another embassy operating in the country also reiterated the need for such a document if Zimbabwean women are to make advances in self-actualisation.
Some women have used the opportunity to link up with business partners, find investors or link up into synergies with other women in related fields of interest.
For others, it has created actual custom as their profiles served as adverts for their businesses.
In a statement shared with ZWRCN, the organisation says that continuous requests to nominate women for various opportunities have made them realise that the update is long overdue:
“We get requests to submit names for board positions, awards and scholarships. We feel that by using the database that we have we are sidelining other women who may not yet have had a chance to get known.
“The advantage of a directory is that it takes away the subjective element of us choosing people whenever someone asks for names for any particular reason. With the updated version we can simply refer interested parties to the document and they make their own primary selections.
“Another advantage of the document is that it will be available on a wide scale and that means that even people who may not think of contacting us directly for names will have it in their offices as a reference point when needed.”
The upcoming directory will take the format of the first in which all eligible women write their own CVs.
Entry is open to all professional and businesswomen including those in the Diaspora.
However, claims to educational qualifications and other achievements will be verified to ensure the credibility of the document.
In addition, there will also be an online version for easy of access to those who prefer that route.
The goal is to give as much mileage as possible to all women. This version will also be referenced for increased user-friendly access when the user needs to look up a particular name or field.
Women have repeatedly bemoaned their sidelining by the media in favour of male counterparts as one of the subtle ways in which they are kept from reaching their potential.
There is also the issue of negative and stereotyped portrayal when women do get media space.
Media practitioners, on the other hand, say that many professional and executive women are attention shy and choose to stay out of the limelight. It becomes another chicken and egg debate but the fact remains that women need space to market their talents and achievements.
A professional document listing a woman’s brand in the exact way she wants to is a tool that even those who are wary of mainstream media coverage can use for career enhancement and advancement.
There are many phenomenal Zimbabwean women out there who could do more for themselves and their country, if they get the chance.
A number of professional and businesswomen have cited the lack of productive networking opportunities for women as another hindrance in the climb to the very top.
While men have their golf clubs there are few equivalents for professional women, especially when it comes to that informal meeting place with male counterparts.
The directory then comes in to close that final gap and link women to the very top decision-makers.
It will serve as an effective introduction and presentation of a resume in one fell swoop.Sometimes one does not know what they are capable of until they are faced with the task and that goes for many women stuck in mediocrity.
They could shine if they are given the chance, or if they decide to take advantage of opportunities that present themselves.
Having a professional women’s directory is international best practice that enables representation of talented and influential women in their respective fields; appropriately credentialed and regulated by their professional organisation, networks and associations.
The common frustrations and concerns that women seeking economic empowerment have can potentially be solved by such initiatives. We look forward it.

l The Zimbabwe Women’s Resource Centre and Network is an Information based organisation advocating for gender equality and equity. Your feedback is welcome through email to [email protected] or call on +263 4 700250/252388, or visit our website, women’s voice blog, Twitter and Facebook pages through www.zwrcn.org.zw