EVOLVE Design Studio creative director Audrey Nyoni has called on women and young girls to take a more active role in the construction and design industries, saying female professionals are now shaping the future of sustainable infrastructure in Zimbabwe.
Nyoni made the remarks after scooping a bronze award in the Most Influential Designer category at the Women in Construction Awards held in Harare last week.
She said women were increasingly breaking barriers in a field once dominated by men.
“We are excited to see the participation of women in a once-marginalised space. Women are taking over, and women are bringing new influence and sustainability to the field of design,” she said.
Nyoni highlighted the importance of design in the construction ecosystem, urging Zimbabweans to support female talent and encouraging young girls in universities and polytechnics to pursue careers in the sector.
She said women’s involvement aligned with the country’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), which places housing and infrastructure development at the core of Vision 2030.
However, Nyoni lamented the financial challenges faced by women in the industry, noting that lack of resources often excluded them from major tendering processes despite their competence and technical capacity.
“It is difficult for us to participate in some of the multi-million-dollar tenders because we are not capacitated financially, yet we have the competence,” she said.
Looking ahead, Nyoni said her studio would continue contributing to innovative and sustainable designs that match Zimbabwe’s development agenda.
She praised ongoing national infrastructure projects—from roads to dams and high-rise buildings—saying they demonstrated a shift towards modern, internationally competitive construction methods.
Nyoni added that platforms such as the Women in Construction Awards helped spotlight the critical role women play in shaping Zimbabwe’s built environment.
“I am excited today as an award winner, as a woman, and as someone making an impact in my community, my country and at international level,” she said.
