Ambassadors, foreign missions recognise women causing change in society
Miss Tina Musuya, gold winner of 'Women 4 Women' Award in the category of Human Rights happily shows off her certificate. The awards seeks to recognise women who are causing impact in society as part of the building block for women to support each other to realise their full potential. Photo by EDGAR R. BATTE.
It started with lunch then dinner and more outings by some of the female ambassadors and leading foreign missions in Uganda. Every time they met, they shared ideas on how they could recognise women who have contributed to change in local communities in the country.
The fruition of their deliberations gave birth to the ‘Women 4 Women Awards’. According to the brainchild of the initiative, Her Excellency (HE) Stephanie Rivoal, the long-term objective of the initiative to recognise women, is to build a network of women influencers who can support each other to realize their full potential.
Last evening, at a glamorous event, attended by guests from different spheres of society, distinguished women were awarded with framed certificates, trips abroad and mentorship opportunities in leading multinational organisations locally and abroad.
Award recipients were in seven main categories. Sephora Uzele Mugoro won the Youth Award, for her efforts under the YESLIFE SCOPE, an agricultural project that is supporting families with all the requirements from the seeding to the harvest.
Khairyun Hussein was bronze winner and will get a mentorship stint with the Ran Workshop while Aisha Ali bagged the silver award and will be mentored at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) office in Kampala.
Joy Mwesigwa, the director of the Kampala School of the Physically Handicapped, is gold winner of the Academics Award and was awarded a certificate and a trip to United States where she will receive further training and mentorship.
Vanessa Atim took home the bronze award in the Academics category and will be enrolled for design thinking mentorship at the Ran Workshop. Nancy Kili and Rose Nanyange Mukwaya tied and were both awarded the silver award and will be mentored in Turkey and at the World Bank local office respectively.
In the Business category, Evelyn Zaliwango scooped the gold award and a trip to France, Zilla Mary Arach the bronze and mentoring by Norway and Aisha Nakasujja mentoring by IMF.
Tina Musuya, the Executive Director at Centre for Domestic Violence Prevention (CEDOVIP) won the gold award in the Human Rights category. On top of a certificate, she rewarded with a trip to Turkey for mentorship.
Peace Kyamureku got the bronze Human Rights award and a certificate, as well as a mentorship stint with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kampala.
Brenda Akia received the silver award in the category, with a certificate and will be flown to France for mentorship. Flora Aling, director at ‘Youth Movers Uganda’, a Non Government Organisation (NGO) that aims to help the new generation flourish, won the gold award in the Civil Society category. She won a ticket to Turkey for mentorship.
Peace Kuteesa won the bronze award in the category and will be mentored by the Turkey embassy. Whitney Achieng Okumu received the silver award and will be mentored at the United Nations office in Kampala.
Reigning national kick boxer, Patricia Apolot was awarded as winner of the Sports category. She will be travelling to France to further be mentored. Mindred Gamba came second and will be mentored at the UN Women Kampala office while Immaculate Nalwadda Chocho was silver award winner and will receive mentoring in US.
Hilda Twongyeirwe, director of Femrite, an association whose objective is to develop and publish female writers is winner of the Arts and Culture category. She was also rewarded with a trip to us for mentorship.
Judith Adong, a filmmaker, playwright, won the bronze award in the category. She will be mentored by the French embassy in Kampala while Teesa Bahana, was silver winner and will receive mentorship by the World Bank.
The Women 4 Women Awards is an initiative of influential women in Uganda, including Ambassadors, Heads of Mission, Directors and Leaders, seeking to promote women who are contributing to change society and make gender equality a reality for Uganda and elsewhere.
The award targets women who have little public exposure, the unsung heroes in the area of public affairs.
