Celebrated tennis sensation Serena Williams once said“the success of every woman should be the inspiration of another”. A candid article announcing her retirement in the Vogue Magazine of August 9, 2022, vividly illustrates this statement and shows why the success of women like Serena and other female athletes should be an inspiration.

In the article, Serena opened up about how she never wanted to have to choose between tennis and a family. “If I were a guy, I wouldn’t be writing this because I’d be out there playing and winning while my wife was doing the physical labor of expanding our family,” she wrote, adding that a lot of people didn’t realize that she was two months pregnant when she won the Australian Open in 2017.

Back home in Uganda, the story of Flirsh Flavia Oketcho, whose basketball career was almost written off by commentators after she had a baby, resonates with the experience of Serena who candidly narrated the challenges of doing sports as a woman: “The way I see it, I should have had 30-plus grand slams. I had my chances after coming back from giving birth. I went from a C-section to a second pulmonary embolism to a grand slam final. I played while breastfeeding. I played through postpartum depression.”

This is not just the story of Serena or Oketcho. It is the story of Alysia Montaño and other female athletes who feel under pressure when it comes to having children during their sporting careers because sponsors, like Montano once narrated, told her “to dream crazier until she wanted a baby”. It’s like being penalized for getting pregnant. Many of them even lose sponsorships.

It is not surprising, therefore, that in her article, Serena said “I definitely don’t want to be pregnant again as an athlete. I need to be two feet into tennis or two feet out”.

The challenges and sacrifices are immense. That is why athletes like Oketcho deserve to be celebrated for inspiring others through their resilience, hard work and dedication.

Oketcho’s journey

Flavia Oketcho is the personification of the cliché that age is just a number. At 37, she is a mother who is still setting records on the court. She is the captain of the National Women’s Basketball team, Uganda Gazelles, a 12–time National Basketball League champion, Most Valuable Player (MVP) East Africa Club Championship (2004) and the longest-serving member of the team. Oketcho has played for JKL Lady Dolphins, KCC Leopards, UCU, and the national team, Gazelles.

Like many sportswomen across the world, Oketcho was told her basketball career was over after she had a child. Instead of getting discouraged, she decided to disprove the naysayers by bouncing back.

“[What limits many women in sport is if you believe it when people say you can’t do it]. However important it is for us to play to prove others wrong, it is much more important to prove ourselves right,” she said in an interview.

Oketcho gave birth to her beautiful daughter, Chantelle, in 2010 while in the United Kingdom and in 2011, she returned and re-joined the National Basketball League (NBL), playing for KCCA Leopards.

Who is Flavia Oketcho?

Oketcho was born in 1986 in Tororo and raised in Kampala where she attended some of the best schools at the time, including Nakasero Primary School and Kitante Primary School. She completed her Primary Leaving Examinations in 1998.

By the time she was in Senior Three at Kitante Hill Secondary School, Oketcho had started playing basketball, which earned her a bursary. She says she draws inspiration from her late cousin, Wilbrod Ox Oketcho, who was an outstanding player in the late 2000s.

Oketcho completed her Advanced Level Exams at Najja High School in 2007 and proceeded to study Mass Communication at Uganda Christian University (UCU) on a basketball bursary. At UCU, she founded the basketball team as a requirement for the bursary. She encouraged students to join and they went on to win many accolades.

Motherhood

Oketcho speaks fondly about her motherhood experience, describing it as one of the best jobs she has had to do. “Being a mom is one of those jobs I’m most proud of, however many people may want to write you off. They will say all sorts of things like you have brought a child into this world and you’re finished. But that should be a driver because as women we are capable of anything; it’s just a God-given gift.”

Her resilience and passion for the game is seen in her natural flow on the court, and the many victories she has led her team to attain and secure for Uganda.

Achievements

When asked what her biggest achievement is, Oketcho told The Other Voice that lasting in the game this long delights her. “[Through my longevity in the game, I have managed to achieve everything that comes with persistence,’’ she said.

At 37, Oketcho is the longest serving member of the Gazelles, a backbone of Uganda Women’s Basketball and a leading force inspiring the younger generations. With 12 National Basketball League titles to her name, Oketcho is evidently a national treasure.

Unlike her colleagues from the 2015 team, Oketcho is the only one that made it to the Fiba Women’s Afrobasket 2023, becoming the first Gazelle to return to the prestigious competition.  Oketcho and her team made history after securing their first quarter final berth at BK Arena, beating DRC 78-62.

What makes her special?

Her colleagues describe her as a natural leader and a multi-talented player. According to Nick Atuhereza, the Gazelles assistant coach, Oketcho is indeed a force to be reckoned with.

“She has a way of blending in with big groups both local and international. The players that have come in young and old have not been to play to her level, so it is difficult for them not to respect or look up to her. She is the perfect fit for captain,”  he remarked.

Precious Yaweh, a young passionate basketball player, who has had a chance to be mentored by Oketcho, applauds her for her dominant record in the game.

“Good winning record is definitely Flirsh Flavia Oketcho,” she says.

As a woman who has broken glass ceilings, Oketcho hopes to be an inspiration to all the women and girls who the world has tried to break using stereotypes.

Asked what she would tell an 18-year-old Oketcho today, she said: “God has got your back. Keep going, keep believing, you are on the right path, and in case I never told before, I am proud of you.’’

The post Flavia Oketcho inspires the young generation through basketball appeared first on The Other Voice.

Many people envision career and development through the lens of blue-collared work practices like medicine, engineering, accounting, teaching, journalism and others. Skill based practices among which cosmetology are last opted for by majority because of low perceptions as informal, for least educated and ‘side’ income generation. And interestingly, trades like hair care are categorized as feminine and attributing saloon growth to women-led entrepreneurship.

According to a report published by the World Bank Gender Data Portal 2022, the global labour force participation rate for women is just over 50% compared to 80% for men. The report reveals that women are less likely to work in formal employment and have fewer opportunities for business expansion or career progression.

However, the Forbes Magazine 2021, observes that women fail to flourish in these businesses because of limited start capital and funding, stiff market force competition and low resilience.

The challenges and diverse perceptions around skills based and business practices are lived realities for many women. Meet Nakayiza Safina Sofi Buwembo who not only discovered hair care as a delayed dream but also glowing many whose hair has her product touch.

Who is Nakayiza?

My name is Nakayiza Safina Sofi Buwembo, the founder of Pzazrio, a hair product business. I’m childfree by choice, first born daughter, and a professional nurse who quit nursing to focus on my passion for creating things in this case, formulating and growing a hair product business.

What inspired you to pursue this particular line of business?

In 2015 when I took the big chop, I struggled with managing my hair. Also, while growing up in a society that enforces haircuts, hair among as a girl was stereotyped as a distraction and hard management. This was worsened by difficulty in finding products that worked well for me especially from large brands. This background made me realize that there was a vacuum with natural hair care thus my business venture.

When did you start?

After evaluating the business gap, I made it my mission to formulate products according to hair porosity that would ease this anxiety. I started working on this dream in 2020 by reaching out to a graphic designer to design a logo and create a brand book. Then I began looking for suppliers on Alibaba after reading about what the best plant derived ingredients were for people with kinky hair. This was very challenging because the minimum order quantities are high but everything came together with time.

What makes your products stand out?

My products are strongly rooted in African culture; I particularly use Luganda for my product naming. Secondly, the products really do stand out because of the gold and black packaging. It’s elegant and different! These products are infused with plant extracts wonderful in hair care and amazing quarteniums like honey which are softening and conditioning agents. These products were made with kinky hair in mind!

What challenges have you faced in trying to achieve your dreams as a business owner?

It’s been a struggle juggling taking care of my siblings and starting a business because as a firstborn, I am more of an assistant parent and expected to raise funds to help where there is a challenge. Uganda Revenue Authority is also unforgiving—they charged me over UGX 150,000 in taxes for every litre of a very important ingredient called radish oil that I needed for one of my products. This was very challenging for a person importing in minimum order quantities.
It’s very disheartening and demoralising for people starting out like myself. The high taxation of such an ingredient hikes the price of the end product which can discourage customers.

What has been your biggest achievement so far?

My biggest achievement has been finding other women to work with especially outside these borders. I was over joyed when; I sent a book order to Dar es Salam recently. It brings me so much joy to be able to share my products and business development journey with so many people, and transform how they view their hair because our hair is gorgeous and finding products that work shouldn’t be a struggle.

How has your business impacted women’s lives?

There are women who are stocking these products in their salons bringing in revenue from satisfied natural hair clientele and thus putting food on the table. Other women long to have healthy easy to manage hair whether it’s relaxed or natural and these products are satisfactory.

What is your give away secret?

Focus, resilience, and people with disposable income who greatly helped me bring this dream to life. I wouldn’t have accomplished this without this and so many women’s dreams remain unrealized because they have no access to the capital they require.
How can women break the barriers and take the front row seat in business?
With access to capital, women can do almost anything they put their minds to. It’s challenging to save enough capital to launch a brand. Women need access to capital. Working with women and being able to share knowledge is one way to inspire women into thriving business.

What keeps you going?

I come from a long line of go getter women who largely pushed the barriers to succeed. I believe with access and ability; the sky is the limit for any of us.

The post From human medicine to hair care: Meet Nakayiza a professional nurse turned cosmetic chemist appeared first on The Other Voice.

Meet the media awardees of the Women in Media Symposium held on March 24^th 2023 by UMWA. These are distinguished women who have widely contributed to media development. The Award categories were as follows: Distinguished ladies in the Media and Communication industry: Academia, Research, management and civil society. They are Mentors, Managers, Researchers and Trainers. Distinguished Long Serving Ladies, long serving and Mentorship, Reporting from the Frontline, Managing Stations, Innovation, Hard Stuff, Investigative, Community, Innovation, Resilience, Daring, Brave and innovation, Press Freedom, Transitioning: Journalism to Police and Politics, Founding Leaders/Chairpersons and Lifetime Award.

Distinguished Ladies in the Media and Communication Industry: Academia, Research and management and civil Society

Prof. Goretti Nassanga

Prof. Goretti Nassanga is the first Professor in Journalism and Communication in Uganda; and has contributed extensively to research in the same area.

Prof Nassanga also co-developed the first gender and media module for the department of Journalism and Communication of Makerere University

Prof. Monica Balya Chibita

Prof. Monica Balya Chibita has made an outstanding contribution to the field of Media and Communication and extensively undertaking research in this area.

Long serving Ladies in the Media and Communication Industry and have mentored several people

Linda Nabusayi Wamboka

Ms. Linda Nabusayi Wamboka has been outstanding for her efforts and dedication in the Media and Public Affairs area.She has done the best in balancing Politics and the Media.

Nalongo Rose Bukirwa

Ms. Nalongo Rose Bukirwa has continuously provided the role model every young female journalist would wish for.

Frontline Reporting

Hon. Shiela Kawamara Mishambi

Hon. Sheila Kawamara Mishambi is the first Ugandan woman journalist to report from the War zone, and has coached several women.

Gloria Laker Aciiro Adiiki

Ms. Gloria Laker Adiiki has been outstanding for her efforts and dedication to report in the Jungles of War and bring a holistic story to the Ugandan and global audience.

Gloria is the name synonymous with Peace Journalism!

Managing Stations

Jane Angom

Ms. Jane Angom successfully led and transformed a Community Radio, Speak FM into a Social Enterprise! And this was for over fourteen years (14 years).

Catherine Apalat

Ms. Catherine Apalat has with a lot of effort and dedication managed a Radio Station, Mama FM 101.7 for over 15 years

The post Media Awardees of the Women in media symposium 2023 appeared first on The Other Voice.