-On strategies to navigate challenging workspaces for career advancement
By: Aminata S. Kromah
Liberia: BRAC Liberia in collaboration with Renew A Mind Foundation, a local non-governmental organization, under the program WIMI-Network, has completed a one day workshop on challenges and strategies to navigate women’s role in workplaces for career advancement.
The one-day dialogue and networking event brought together women who are making significant headlines and strikes in sector where fewer women are seen like security, aviation, shipping, judiciary, technology and others. Speaking at the opening of the program, the Country Director of BRAC Liberia Madam Rosy Choudhury, disclosed that the goal of the event is to provide a safe space to discuss about the challenges faced by women in these workspaces, to share their stories and create a supportive community for women who are already in these careers as well as for the ones who are aspiring to join. She added that the interactive dialogue is to break barriers and have equal opportunity for career growth.
Going forward the keynote Speaker, the Deputy Minister for Administration, Ministry of Justice, Hon. Massa Jallabah send out her appreciation to BRAC Liberia and WIMI-Network for taking the bold step to carry on this initiative.
“I am proud and hope that this project continues to build on this initiative in fulfillment of article 11 of the 1986 Constitution that grants fundamental rights and freedom for persons irrespective of sex, meaning men, women, girls and boys. As well as article 8 which grants equal opportunities for employment for men and women.”
“We should serve as the strongest partners for all young women in advising them about education and career choices, encouraging them during challenging times that could make them want to quit.” She asserted.
Making a remark, the Founder of Renew A Mind Foundation and Program Lead of WIMI-Network, Rebecca S. Brewer noted that WIMI-Network comprises of senior women in their professional spaces ranging from engineering, electricity, maritime amongst others. Stating that despite the success of these women, many of them still struggle from many challenges.
She also pointed out that many career women in our society lacks important skills which include, financial management skills and stressed on the importance of economic empowerment for career women in Africa.
The one-day dialogue which brought together professionals and policies makers from different sectors , Maritime, Security, Construction, agriculture, ICT, some local and international partners, UN Women, IDLO, UNDP,LACC, Ministry of Justice, Bowier Foundation Switzerland, Women In Logistics Africa, several women advocates, amongst others, was held over the weekend at the Royal Grand Hotel in Sinkor, Montserradocounty, Liberia.
The workshop was held under the theme “Strategies to navigate challenging workspaces for career advancement” which focused on the importance of empowering women to overcome obstacles and excel in their careers despite facing gender disparities in their workplaces.
Meanwhile, several participants who attended the workshop were encouraged by the messages from the panel, WIMI-Network and BRAC Liberia. A participant noted, “I learned a lot today from the experiences shared about how we as women should not be afraid to make mistakes and that education is not just in the class room, but exposure is important. We need to support one another as women.”
This event was supported by BRAC Liberia’s Women Empowerment program which targets more than 200,000 Liberian young women and adolescents to advance socially and economically and become leaders in their communities.
