Ms Ayanda Mvimbi is a Programme Management Specialist at the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) in the South Africa Multi-Country Office (MCO), which covers Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Eswatini. Ayanda is responsible for UN Women’s work on Women Economic Empowerment focused on unlocking economic opportunities for women owned enterprises in the economy and increasing their participation in various value chains.

She brings to her role more than 25 years of experience as a development professional including 10 years with UN Women. She has worked in social and economic policy, gender- based violence, climate change and women entrepreneurship. Ayanda is an ardent advocate for women’s economic and financial inclusion and work aimed at promoting gender equality, women’s rights, and women’s empowerment.

Ayanda holds Master’s degree in Political Science from the University of the Witwatersrand, and various professional development certificates in Gender Mainstreaming, Leadership, Women’s Economic Empowerment.