JACQUELINE ASIIMWE

Founder & CEO, CivSource Africa

The journey to self is never-ending.  Somehow, we think it is an arrival lounge. No! It is truly an ongoing journey. I have learned to see my life in seasons. What is the season you are in now, and what do you need? Reach out for help. There are so many ways to get help, right from our phones to our friends to our communities. What community are you building around you that is buffering?

Develop the practice of self-reflection, and self-awareness, and have a community around you of people who are also invested in your wellness. Sometimes, we surround ourselves with people who are just taking, extracting and that’s all they are doing. Do you have people that are also filling your cup? People who mind that your cup is full? Surround yourself with those people.

Practice gratitude. I have kept a gratitude jar for the last 5 years and every day I write what I am grateful for that day on little notes. Find a minimum of 3 things a day to be grateful for. This helps to lift the spirit and make you aware that you are more blessed than you actually know. Start to name and notice the ways in which you are blessed.

The more I reflect on my life, the more I think about my footprint and legacy, what am I leaving? My footprints have varied in my life. There was a footprint of an activist, there was a footprint of being a mother, a carer a nurturer and now there is a different footprint. So, what is your footprint, determine it for yourself, contribute to it, and write it. Are you telling your story, and in what ways?  You just never know what or how you will impact someone with your story. Be it wisdom, foresight, or even your mistakes.

HELLEN NANTEZA KAWESA

Assistant Director Ceremonies, Parliament of Uganda & Public Relations Specialist

If reputation were a colour, red and white are best suited. Red is often seen to signify danger, your reputation should be held as such and guarded jealously as it can make or break you. White on the other hand brings to light the purity of a good reputation, thus it is critical for one to ensure that they keep their reputation clean.

Family is very critical.  You must ensure that you build and maintain your relationship with your family, this may be the immediate family or extended family. Their support will help you in your life journey. 

Let’s not compromise our standards in our work. Take the straight path and not shortcuts and stand for the truth, be professional, and hold the hands of other people so that you operate as a team because we can never succeed alone, we will succeed with teams. 

Give back to humanity because when God puts us in a position that we hold, it is our responsibility to support others.  There is always somebody out there who wants to learn from us, and there is someone you can help. It is very important that you keep asking yourself, what can I give to somebody?”

If you are passionate about something, embrace it and enjoy it, especially if it is your profession. These are some questions to think about. Do you understand it? Have you mastered it? What do you have to do to grow in it? And growing is about creating networks and getting on top of the field?”

Build your brand and be present. Educate yourself in your line of specialty and be confident. Take advantage of social media to market these attributes. Be available to volunteer or help in the different communities you are in, be it Whatsapp groups, as this helps you build networks.

DR SABRINA KITAKA

Senior Lecturer, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist and Academic

If you are not sitting at the table to decide on the menu, you will end up being part of the menu. It is important for you to work your way through and be part of the table of decision-makers not simply do your job as is. I was once the president of the Uganda Pediatric Association and was at the helm of advocacy at that point, the tagline “Every child should grow up and reach their fullest potential” spoke to me.

It is important to give adolescents and young people confidence, energy, and a desire to want to excel in their space.

The boy child too needs to be empowered, supported, and given the confidence that they need. This can even be from participating in a sport. If an adolescent scores a goal and is celebrated, for instance, this builds their confidence, music dance drama, and public speaking are also some confidence-building aspects. Confidence can’t be bought in a supermarket; it starts with practice.

Parents need to be present. Parents are suffering from TB (being Too Busy). Parents are looking for cash yet it is not everything. Sometimes children and adolescents just want you to be present. And do not practice presentism. This means you are in the house but you are using your phone. Keep that phone away, keep that newspaper away, and just listen.

A family that prays together stays together and that doesn’t mean in the same house but staying together means they are bound together and solidifying their community practice, family values, and their family norms. If a parent says I will be home by 7pm then be home by 7pm. Parents should learn to trust their children and also believe in them and let them know that they always have their back.

“My formula to wellbeing is ABCD. A- Ask for what you want, B- Be who you say you are, C-Care for others, and D- Dare to live your dream. The fifth one, keep smiling and enjoy yourself.

MS DIANA NINSIIMA KIBUUKA

Country Lead, Girl 4 Girls and Director BNI Uganda

Stop waiting for people to give you permission to excel. We attach a lot of importance to the thoughts of others. At the end of the day, no one is going to sit down and determine the days you live and when you die which is sad and very powerful too. The one who has control is you. Begin to make these decisions now. There is no guarantee of tomorrow so you have to live it out today.

Be accountable but take ownership of your decisions and actions. Consult widely but take ownership.

Entrepreneurs need to look beyond passion and factor in the process and people element. You must have the right people with the right skill set supporting your business and you must be able to be compliant. Business owners need to set goals, they need to measure the goals and be able to achieve those goals.

Women entrepreneurs need to separate their business from personal expenditure. The challenge we face as women in business is that we don’t separate our personal costs from the business costs. The result of this is that we are unable to plough back our profits into the business so we are always in need of capital injection. There are so many opportunities for women-owned businesses. Be intentional and search for them, for instance, via your banks.

Women need to challenge themselves and be courageous. A lot of them need to believe in themselves, look in the mirror, and say I can do this, it is possible, that inherent belief in self is what we unlock and create a sisterhood where they believe they have a support system.

Our mentorships programme at G4G is supporting women to take up that space in their community, in their family or work space and own it. Say, I am a leader and because I am a leader, I can do it. Have the belief that I am a powerful tool in God’s hands, I can create change. I am uniquely positioned to be a tool of change… Women still feel like they need to be given permission. They feel like they have to be invited to the table. At G4G we are reminding them that they don’t need to be given permission. You can actually take a seat at the table, if there is no seat for you, bring your chair and if no space absolutely, create your own table and bring people around it, both men and women but most importantly don’t fail to ask yourself the question, what difference can I make here?

The post Celebrating Remarkable Women appeared first on The Other Voice.

Get ready to kick off your Saturday afternoons in style as a new fem vibe joins the airwaves. It is set to inspire, empower, and celebrate the achievements of extraordinary women.

Welcome to “Her Story 256,” the latest talk show on 101.7 Mama FM, brought to you by the Uganda Media Women’s Association. As we tune in to this groundbreaking program, get ready for a wave of inspiration, a chorus of accomplishments, and a celebration of women who have left an indelible mark on society.

“Her Story 256″ is here, and it’s all about celebrating the incredible achievements of remarkable women from various walks of life. This fantastic show is proudly brought to you by the Uganda Media Women’s Association and airs on 101.7 Mama FM. So, grab your snacks, put on your comfy PJs, and let’s dive into what makes “Her Story 256” so darn exciting!

“Why a women’s radio talk show?” you might ask. The answer is simple but profound. Women’s voices have often been underrepresented or overshadowed in the media. “Her Story 256” aims to rectify this by providing a platform that amplifies the incredible stories and achievements of women across a multitude of fields. It’s a powerful avenue for acknowledging the struggles, contributions, and impact of women who have shaped our world.

It is indeed high time we give a shout-out to the fabulous women who’ve been making waves in our world. “Her Story 256” is all about making sure women’s stories don’t go unnoticed. It’s like the ultimate “you go, girl!” moment where we take a step back and appreciate the contributions, struggles, and achievements of several amazing women in Uganda particularly and thus the 256, the Ugandan telecommunication code.

But this show is more than just about women; it’s about the world learning from their experiences, listening to their wisdom, and recognizing the value they bring to every aspect of society. In a world where the phrase “her story” too often goes unnoticed, this show is a beacon, shining light on the incredible journey of remarkable women. Mama FM is therefore about to change “her story” from an afterthought to a headliner, and you’re invited to the front-row seat.

Get ready to be captivated, inspired, and motivated, and downright entertained! Every Saturday from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m., “Her Story 256” will rock your world. Here’s what you can look forward to as you join us on this thrilling journey through “Her Story 256.”:

• Inspirational stories: You’ll be treated to awe-inspiring stories from women who’ve achieved greatness in a wide range of fields. Whether it’s science, law, arts, entrepreneurship, politics, or social activism. You’ll hear tales of resilience, determination, and success. these tales of grit and determination will give you all the feels.

• Expert insights: Her Story 256″ will provide listeners with expert insights from incredible women who are making a difference in various spheres. Whether you’re looking for career guidance, life lessons, or tips on leadership, our guests have the wisdom to share

• Heart to Heart: This talk show is all about candid and meaningful exchanges. Expect engaging and thought-provoking discussions on issues that matter to women today. From gender equality and empowerment to career challenges and personal growth, our talk show will be a forum for open dialogues and meaningful conversations.

• Spotlight on Unsung Heroes: We’re turning the spotlight on the unsung heroes, the women whose achievements might have slipped under the radar but truly deserve recognition. It’s time to unveil these hidden gems and celebrate their accomplishments.

• Your Host and Guest: The debut show will be hosted by the fabulous Ms. Flora Aduk, a remarkable woman in her own right. She’ll be joined by the incredible Ms. Jacqueline Asiimwe, the Founder and CEO of CivSource Africa, who will share her insights and experiences in a conversation that is not to be missed

What more can I say? “Her Story 256” on 101.7 Mama FM isn’t just a radio talk show; it’s a movement, a party, and an inspiration all rolled into one. It’s a celebration of women’s accomplishments, a space for their voices to be heard, and an inspiration for the generations to come. In a world where “her story” often takes a back seat, this show is the driving force, reminding us that women’s achievements are an integral part of history.

So, as the101.7 Mama FM slogan goes; “the voice to listen to.” Tune in every Saturday from 3:30 to 5 pm, and celebrate with us as “Her Story 256” fuels your weekends with greatness. This radio talk show isn’t just a program; it’s a beacon of accomplishment, empowerment, and, most importantly, her story. Get ready for a good time and some serious inspiration!

The post Her Story 256: Celebrating Remarkable Women on 101.7 Mama FM appeared first on The Other Voice.

Meet Kabali Paul, a Media Practitioner/News Anchor from Mama FM 101.7, presenter of a ‘Health programme’, and a part time media monitoring personnel, now gender champion. 

Kabali reflects that before attending the training for gender media monitors, he did not take reporting responsively a responsibility for all practicing journalists. 

Gender media monitoring in simple terms is research, which is conducted for purposes of generating information and adding on what others have done before. 

“My previous reporting entailed collecting field stories only. Today I have gained skills to fairly and equitably report on men and women. During the monitoring exercise, I realised that media generally reports favourably on men and poorly on women and deliberately stereotyped by media, yet reporting responsively, requires facts, and confirming the statements with figures, hence the need for media monitoring” says Kabali.  

He adds that he has evolved from a journalist aiming at beating the editor’s deadline, to a Gender Sensitive Media Monitoring Champion, who is aware that effective reporting requires conducting research for authenticity. 

Kabali states that as a Gender Media Monitor Champion, he participated in the exercise for updating and aligning the monitoring tools; including the monitoring guide, and coding sheet with the variables to be monitored while implementing UMWA’s Media for Gender Equality and Social Justice Project between 2018-2022. 

“I also participated in the pretesting of the monitoring guide. Media Monitors need facts and figures, which I ably get by collecting and analysing data in a systematic manner. Being part of the monitoring team requires me to put apportion some time to the exercise where I sit quietly and concentrate on the coding exercise for accurate and reliable results.  The exercise requires me to look backwards and in front to get background information and the current status” he further shares.

As a Gender Media Monitoring Ambassador in UMWA, Kabali starts by establishing facts to monitor, including the representation or misrepresentation of men and women. He analyses the smallest details, not part of the coding sheet requirements, and ignored by reporters, yet communicating very loudly about inequalities in media. He also analyses how the pictures/images are depicted/portrayed or placed in the story and whether the picture is showing a different person, whether the picture passport size, medium, or large? Is the picture taken from a distance or a close-up picture? 

“I had never taken interest in this analysis. Today, I use gender lenses to understand, interpret and relate the prominence/implications to the story. Experience has taught me to look for the non-obvious issues” he says. 

Kabali is also a founder of Better man Project, a youth centred community organization focusing on youth empowerment programs with emphasis on Livelihoods & Skills Development and Behaviour Change Communication among others.

The post Gender sensitive training shaped my reporting on women as a male journalist appeared first on The Other Voice.