International Women's Day: Think equal, build smart, innovate for change

2 Apr 2019

International Women's Day: Think equal, build smart, innovate for change

Entebbe, UGANDA (March 8, 2019) – On 8 March RSCE and UNESB joined the rest of the world to celebrate International Women’s Day under the theme “Think equal, build smart, Innovate for Change”.

To mark the day, several activities were held to celebrate the contribution of women on the base and to foster discussion around this year’s theme. Opening remarks for this year’s ceremonies were provided by RSCE Deputy Chief Ms. Nalini Contreras who highlighted how technology and innovation can support equality. Her remarks were followed by a panel discussion comprised of UNESB female staff members including the Deputy Chief, Chief Client Services Pillar Ms. Benta Achieng Aseto, Chief Human Resources Officer Ms. Ndeye Ngone Wague, Chief of OIOS Investigations Ms. Suzette Schultz,Team Leader of the Engineering Unit at Global Procurement Support Section (GPSS/EU) Ms. Anita Pinto, Information Systems Assistant Ms. Caroline Barozi and Head Nurse Ms. Gemma Urbano. The panelists openly shared their experiences on topics such as womanhood, leadership, career challenges and advancement, role models and the infamous glass ceiling. At the close of the discussion panelists provided advice on how to navigate the UN landscape

Other highlights of the day included the recognition of several national and international female staff for their outstanding contribution to the National Staff Association (NASA) and poems on displacement and modern femininity from the Uganda Women Writers’ Association Femrite. In addition, the Regional Ombudsman’s Office was represented at the event to promote informal conflict resolution in the workplace and to display awareness-raising information material on the issue of sexual harassment through posters and other visual aids. Were also present, the Kampala Fair, that was established as a way to provide real jobs that give women and men decent working conditions, skills, a sense of pride in their work and the Deborahz – a Christian Women Fellowship at the UN base showcased who they are and what they do.  

At the closing of the event, Mr. Yuri Cherep spoke on behalf of the Head of Premises and expressed his appreciation for the work of female colleagues on the Base. This was followed by Chief RSCE Mr. Paulin Djomo who acknowledged a number of female leaders who were on the base participating in the Senior Women Talent Pipeline (SWTP), a development program aimed at preparing female senior leadership capacity for peace operations. Mr. Djomo stated, “women belong in all places where decisions are being made. He also quoted the Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie who reminds us that everyone, both women and men, must do better, to advance gender equality. Following the event staff were invited to partake in cake and light refreshments.