Steven Bwayo Wamono serves as the Executive Director of African Women and Youth Action for Development (AWYAD), a humanitarian organisation that focuses on empowering women and youth in the country. The Non-Government Organisation (NGO) employs mostly women who comprise 80 percent of staff. He opens up to Esther Oluka on what it takes for a male leader to lead such an organisation.
How did you come to lead a predominantly female-dominated organisation?
My being here is just because of circumstances. I took on the role in July 2021 after the passing on of the former Executive Director Ritah Nansereko, a woman who had been very powerful and influential in the NGO sector. She had served in the role for almost 10 years. The organisation urgently needed someone to avail leadership and steer it forward. I served as the programme development advisor on the team, and also advised on other matters since I was among the organisation’s founders [started in 2010] and knew everything that was happening in the institution. Outside the institution, I worked at Lutheran World Relief as a Humanitarian manager but resigned from the role after crossing to AWYAD.
What has been your experience in leading a female-dominated organisation?
It is both interesting and challenging. Interesting in the sense that most of the women who work with me are very committed, hardworking, and loyal to their work.I say that because I have worked with men before (while at Lutheran World Relief) and realised that their level of commitment is not as high as that of women. I think because of the nature of wanting to make ends meet,hustling here and there,they do not concentrate thoroughly on one task.
The role on the other hand is challenging,in such a way that there are occasions when the workforce becomes thin because of motherhood obligations including when women get pregnant and eventually go on maternity leave. On such occasions, productivity can be low, something that can affect the efficiency of the organisation. The other issue I have noticed is the small fights among women sometimes affect the efficiency of the company.
Small fights?
Yes. You will hear all sorts of stories when you are the leader, such as,“This one is fighting the other one,” or you will simply notice that two female staff are no longer talking to each other because of one reason or another. When ever I realise that such behaviour is affecting productivity, I call up the women, engage and remind them that they should always put their differences aside and focus on what brought them to the organisation. Men on the other hand do not always tend to be this petty. Even if there are issues among themselves and they don’t get along, they do not go on a spree avoiding each other or engaging in gossip to tint the other person’s name. They focus on work.
How do you empower women in the organisation?
I would love to let you know first,that about 80 percent of our staff are women, and these are in management and board positions. The empowerment we champion in the organisation, among other things, focuses on different aspects including advocating for gender equality, in the form of pushing for the rights of women. We also support and advocate for stronger protection measures on issues surrounding gender-based violence.
Amongst all these things, I want to say that as an organisation, we are always pushing for women to take on more challenging roles not only within but also outside the organisation. It is a way of showing them that they can do anything in this life and should not be afraid to take on bigger tasks.But it is important to note that working with these women has made me realise that they go through many challenges, so part of the empowerment advocacy involves reminding them that they need to stick to their values and not compromise on their integrity in rewards for jobs. Women in the organisation have for instance shared horrible stories of how men manipulate them for favours in exchange for juicy jobs. It is a terrible problem.
FOUR WOMEN WHO INSPIRE WAMONO
Mother Teresa: The late famous Catholic Nun was a woman who served others with soft humility.
Allen Kagina: I find her role as Executive Director of the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) interesting because it takes courage to lead a field many women would not want to venture into.
Mary Nakhumitsa: My mother raised us with an abundance mindset to always know that they were adequate resources within our core to help us achieve our goals. She always encouraged us to take up responsibilities, rather than shy away from them.
Jennifer Musisi: Oh, the great Jennifer! I loved how [the former Kampala Capital City Auhority (KCCA) Executive Director] cleaned and revamped the city despite the heckling voices from critics. She stood her ground and did her work. She was phenomenal.
It seems like a big problem…
Yes, it is. The late executive director also went through these nasty experiences. She once told me that while job hunting after completing her studies, men for example, would put all sorts of conditions for her to fulfill in exchange for a job, conditions she refused to fulfill. Another time she told me that during a previous pregnancy, she was denied a job after the employers noticed she had a baby bump.Many other women are encountering the same challenges and even worse and that is why this organisation is here to deal with such issues. My advice to women is, do not give into such pressures even if it is to get a promotion. Do not allow it, however bad things are. If you keep looking for
opportunities, I am sure someone will give you a job on credible terms.
Your parting words to women?
Seek knowledge, always. You will be respected for what you know. But also, don’t sweat the small stuff by engaging in petty fights with fellow women, such things hinder you from growth. Remain a woman of honor and integrity.
