Women in Leadership (WIL) 1:
An Overview
The first Women in Leadership Conference was hosted in Nairobi in October 2005. It brought together women leaders in both Corporate and Civil societies. This conference was considered a great success for its high level of experience sharing. Delegates included great leaders like Dr. Grace Ongile (CEO NEPAD), Hon Njoki Ndungu MP Kenya, Rhoda Masaviru – Assistant Secretary General of the Pan African Postal Union, Ms Joyce Nyamweya-Nyakeya then Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President Kenya, Ms Hellen Mbugu – Group Human Resources Manager Nation Media Group, Mary MMu’kindia Managing Director of the National Oil Corporation, Patricia Ithau Marketing Director Kenya Breweries, and Mary Okello from the Makini Group of Schools.
At this forum a Masai woman, Paulina from Kajiado challenged women leaders to expand their presence from conference situations to actual implementation of their ideals. She told them to do this by first of all going to rural areas to meet women whose cause they claimed to be fighting for. A marked consequence of this initial gathering was the formation of the NOW Foundation, a corporate social responsibility initiative headed by Tetra Pak, to support work being done in Kenya to bring an end to violence against children, men and women.
Women in Leadership (WIL) 2:
An Overview
The second Women in Leadership Conference was hosted in the Kingdom of Swaziland between 29 August and 1 September, 2006. The theme ‘Gender and Development’ was inspired by UNDP’s Human Development Report -1995. Its stated objective was to sustain the momentum of practical value and meaningful interchange of information catalysed by WIL 1. It received support from Government institutions like the Ministry of Home Affairs – Gender Unit, Ministry of Economics, Planning and Development and UNDP Swaziland. UNDP Swaziland Country Office recently supported the participation of Honorable Parliamentarians to the 2006 2nd Women in Leadership Conference. Speaking on behalf of Ms. Dike, UNDP Country Representative for Swaziland, Mr. Jabulani Dlamini of UNDP said, “The support has been made possible through general support of UNDP to gender and women empowerment in Swaziland which is a vital component of our governance and Gender Mainstreaming Programme.” Ms. Dike lamented the fact that Global development initiatives in past decades have failed to recognize the potential contribution that women can make to development. “Women have been relegated to the positions of minors, mainly through cultural practices and even through legislation in many countries,” said Ms. Dike. “Such practices have limited the role of women to household activities and denied the development effort and the great potential that women have.” Ms. Dike noted that the world had come to realize that it had missed out on the contribution of women in development. However, Ms. Dike noted that there had been profound changes in the status and role of women over the past two decades. The Beijing+5 Review recorded progress in most countries including narrowing gender gaps in education and health.
“Women have entered the labour force in unprecedented numbers, increasing their potential participation in decision making at various levels, starting with the household,” Ms. Dike said. “These are important assets for new generations of young women.”
Women in Leadership (WIL) 3:
Women in Leadership (WIL) 3:
An Overview
The third Women in Leadership Conference was held in Arusha, Tanzania between the 10th and 14th September 2007. Its theme that year was ‘Diversity and Inclusion’. It addressed issues of Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Diversity and Talent Management and increasing Organizational Effectiveness through inclusion. It also emphasized networking and appreciation of women’s contribution, something that had been fostered during the first and second conferences.
Women in Leadership (WIL) 4
The 4th WIL Conference was about improving management and leadership through challenging each individual participant to “Unleash their Leadership Potentials”. It challenged delegates on the following:
- Changing your limiting beliefs.
If you raise your standards but don’t believe you can meet them, you’ve already sabotaged yourself. You won’t even try; you’ll be lacking that sense of certainty that allows you to tap the deepest capacity that is within you. Our beliefs are like unquestioned commands, telling us how things are, what’s possible and what’s impossible, what we can and cannot do. They shape every action, every thought, and every feeling that we experience. As a result, changing our belief systems is central to making real and lasting change in our lives. We must develop a sense of certainty that we can and will meet the new standards before we actually do. Changing an organization, a company, a country or a world – begins with the simple step of changing yourself. Excerpt Awaken the Giant within
- The Motto of the conference was: “I am unique; the powers to be who I want to be are in my hands”.
- A sample of personal journal that delegates could adopt to document their leadership journey.
Women in Leadership (WIL) 5
The 5th WIL conference opened on 6th and closed on 9th December, 2010 at the Chrismar Hotel in Lusaka Zambia
Women in Leadership (WIL) 6
The 6th WIL Conference themed “Public Speaking and Presentation Skills” was aimed at improving and developing the delegates in public speaking, building self esteem and confidence, leadership, chairing successful meetings as well as getting rid of stage fright and embarrassing platform nervousness.
The five day conference that began on Monday 28th November, 2011 focused on the Web professional skills and importance and benefits of public speaking skills, highlighting the effects of goal setting, effective communication have on one’s success both in the workplace, the home, and the community.
Unlike previous conferences which had paper presentations, this conference was purely a training/capacity building one. In the words of the delegates this was the most memorable, transformational training they had received in their lives. The delegates appreciated and applied the theme and motto of the conference which revealed to them the potential they had locked within. They realized the importance of goal setting and adequate preparation before addressing an audience. They acknowledged that they now had the essential tools to take their future audiences by storm and present effectively imprinting lasting impressions in the minds of their audiences. Each delegate showed heartfelt gratitude to the Management of African Renaissance Centre, International Renaissance Centre and all parties who made the conference possible; they stated that they have been equipped with a toolbox with skills that will take them through a happy and successful life.
DOROTHY MBILIMI-TANZANIA
How has the Conference changed you?
LUMBA INDONGO – PILOT WITH NAMIBIA
How has the Conference changed you?
NHAMO MARANDU – ZIMBABWE OPEN UNIVERSITY
How has the Conference Changed you?
I have learnt that everything can be learnt and practiced
JUDITH OKETCH - KENYA
How has the Conference Changed you?
Women in Leadership (WIL) 7
The 7th Women in Leadership (WIL) Conference was held
in Nairobi Kenya
Women in Leadership (WIL) 8
This conference was conducted
from 4th November 2013 to 8th November 2013 in Nairobi, Kenya. The
broad topics covered during this one week were: Introduction to Project
Management, Project Leadership Competencies and Styles, Project Life Cycle,
Project Selection and Design, Managing Consultants and Contractors, Effective
Communications, Win/win Negotiation Approach, Team Effectiveness, Team Development
and Team Dynamics, and A Brand New You – assertiveness skills that lead to
success. These topics were delivered mostly through practical exercises that
demonstrate various aspects of teams including branding, values,
coordination, tolerance, cohesion, trust, commitment, focus, accountability, openness,
and many other team building block that are necessary for the general survival
of the team and ultimate success of the entire project.
Women in Leadership (WIL) 9
The 9th WIL
Conference themed “High Leadership
Performance” was aimed unleashing the leadership performance of the
delegates. The five day conference was held on 1st - 5th December, 2014. It focused on delegates establishing a sense of direction or purpose by finding a pathway
to establish the most effective route 'up the mountain' in order to bring 'clarity'
and 'purpose' to their goals to reach the heights of self-understanding.
In the words of the delegates this was the most
memorable, informative training they had received in their lives. The delegates
appreciated the clarity4D profiling which revealed to them about them and the hidden
potential they had locked within. They realized the need for self awareness a
leadership potential is necessary in leading others. They acknowledged that
they were better equipped to lead their teams. Each delegate showed heartfelt
gratitude ; they stated that they have been equipped with a toolbox with skills
that will take them through a happy and successful life.
The 6th WIL Conference themed “Public Speaking and Presentation Skills” was aimed at improving and developing the delegates in public speaking, building self esteem and confidence, leadership, chairing successful meetings as well as getting rid of stage fright and embarrassing platform nervousness.
The five day conference that began on Monday 28th November, 2011 focused on the Web professional skills and importance and benefits of public speaking skills, highlighting the effects of goal setting, effective communication have on one’s success both in the workplace, the home, and the community. Unlike previous conferences which had paper presentations, this conference was purely a training/capacity building one. In the words of the delegates this was the most memorable, transformational training they had received in their lives. The delegates appreciated and applied the theme and motto of the conference which revealed to them the potential they had locked within. They realized the importance of goal setting and adequate preparation before addressing an audience. They acknowledged that they now had the essential tools to take their future audiences by storm and present effectively imprinting lasting impressions in the minds of their audiences. Each delegate showed heartfelt gratitude to the Management of African Renaissance Centre, International Renaissance Centre and all parties who made the conference possible; they stated that they have been equipped with a toolbox with skills that will take them through a happy and successful life.
DOROTHY MBILIMI-TANZANIA
How has the Conference changed you?
How has the Conference changed you?
NHAMO MARANDU – ZIMBABWE OPEN UNIVERSITY
How has the Conference Changed you?
I have learnt that everything can be learnt and practiced
How has the Conference Changed you?
Women in Leadership (WIL) 9
The 9th WIL
Conference themed “High Leadership
Performance” was aimed unleashing the leadership performance of the
delegates. The five day conference was held on 1st - 5th December, 2014. It focused on delegates establishing a sense of direction or purpose by finding a pathway
to establish the most effective route 'up the mountain' in order to bring 'clarity'
and 'purpose' to their goals to reach the heights of self-understanding.
