How best can a woman assert herself at work?

Several attempts have been made for women to advance at work thanks to emancipation. However, not many have been that lucky to progress due to factors such as stereotypes. How can women assert themselves at the workplace?

Jackline Trice Mundrua, a female motorcycle mechanic at Gaza Street Industrial Area in Moyo Town, is happy to have joined an occupation that many women dread. She earns between Shs50,000 and Shs65,000 a day. “This is a job that pays me daily and it is always good when we get more customers,” she says.
Mundrua is an example of many women who are breaking the glass ceiling to do work that was predominately a man’s job. There are several female drivers and taxi touts that eke a living from such work. Women have also joined security forces and are doing pretty well. In politics, many women have climbed the ladder. Some like Miria Obote and Maureen Kyalya have participated in presidential campaigns in their quest for Uganda’s top job.
In Parliament, Speaker Rebecca Kadaga has been an influential figure - little wonder she was given another mandate to head the August House for a second term. Locally and globally, there are several women holding leadership positions in both public and private circles with exceptional performance.
The list of female executives in the country is an unexhausted. This illustrates how far women are willing to fight stereotypes and exert themselves at the workplace. As an aspiring career woman, you ought to understand that you are the only obstacle to your success.
Set a clear career plan and let those around you know it. Do not settle for less. Say no to sexism. Stand tall but remain humble yet aggressive in achieving work targets.
You need also to demonstrate that you deserve that job and your contribution to the organisation is not in question irrespective of the working conditions.
Happy belated women’s day!

Isaiah Kitimbo
HR Specialist & Journalist
Monitor Publications Limited
[email protected]