HerStory Podcast Series
HerStory Podcast Series
Episode 30: Meet Isabel, YCI's HerStart Knowledge & Learning Manager in Uganda
In this episode, Hafsah Abdi, HerStart Communications Fellow, speaks with Isabel Atugonza about her role as YCI's HerStart Knowledge & Learning Manager in Uganda.
Isabel explores the challenges faced by women in the region and the transformative impact of the HerStart program on young women entrepreneurs. She shares how HerStart supports economic empowerment and gender equality through social entrepreneurship training, grant funding and initiatives like the Partner Innovation Fund, which builds local organizations' capacity to continue building a brighter future for women in Uganda.
Welcome to Youth Challenge International's Hair Start Hair Story podcast series, youth Challenge International, OYCI launched the Hair Start Innovate the Future Program in 2020. As part of our initiative to advance women's equality globally, our goal is to provide 10,000 women in Ghana, Tanzania, and Uganda with the resources and supports they need to successfully launch and grow their social businesses. We are sharing real stories of young women who are leading change in their communities. Y C's , hair Start Innovate. The Future Program is funded in passed by the government of Canada to progress Canada's feminist International Assistance policy. Learn more@y.org or hair start.org .
Speaker 2:Hello, my name is HSA and I'm a communications fellow with Youth Challenge International's, her start program in Uganda. Before we begin, I'd like to thank Alexis, our communications fellow in Kampala for her work on this podcast episode. Today I'm speaking to Isabelle Attu Ganza about her experience working with the Youth Challenge Internationals, her START program in pursuit of a brighter future for young women. This program helps young women entrepreneurs grow their social and environmental impact through business skills, coaching, mentorship, and training. Isabelle and I are speaking today from MPG District CINA Village. Can you tell us about your role with Youth Challenge International's, her START program?
Speaker 3:I am Isabel at Goza . I am the knowledge and learning manager on the Her Start program with Youth Challenge International in Uganda. My role as the knowledge and learning manager is to contribute to the growth and adaptability of the Huda program through fostering a culture of learning and knowledge sharing amongst the Huda team. This involves helping the Huda team to promote efficiency in program implementation through knowledge sharing, training and development based on the different team needs, information management and supporting the team to analyze program findings while integrating the key learnings in the program delivery. I have been able to do this through monitoring and evaluation of the program progresses while contributing to the strategic planning and management of the Hasta program in Uganda.
Speaker 2:Can you tell us a bit about the challenges women face in Uganda and in your community?
Speaker 3:One of the main challenges that women face is lack of economic empowerment. Women in Uganda have substantial economic and social responsibilities throughout Uganda's many traditional societies, however, due to limited economic empowerment, they have first limited access to education and equal employment opportunities. Little influence in decision making , both at the family and national level among others. Majority of the root causes of gender inequality is attributed to limited economic empowerment amongst women. That continues to affect not only these women but their children, their families, and the communities. Families continue being dysfunctional. This is affecting not only their , the women, but even the growth of the country at large.
Speaker 2:Do you have any personal stories from your time working with her start when you felt like you had a significant influence on the lives of young women?
Speaker 3:Yes, I do have many stories, but I have been privileged to work as a trainer with the Hair Start program where I've trained over 600 women on the program. I have been amazed by their personal growth as the platforms that we have offered. These women have boosted their confidence to express themselves and become empowered to make their own independent decisions. Sometimes we underestimate the power of sharing stories, but the different personal stories that have been told during these sessions have been inspired women to start businesses with the small savings they have and the resources available in their communities. One of our beneficiaries shared that the stories we have told about starting small in businesses pushed her to start aside business. Apart from being a stay home mother and entirely relying on her husband for financial support, she has been able to contribute to her children's school fees . I now pride in finding out that I'm part of that story that has been written.
Speaker 2:So what inspired you to want to work for an organization with a mission of empowering women
Speaker 3:With cultural constraints? I have witnessed a lot of women whose potential has been compromised due to the different family and society expectations. Gender equality still exists despite the different interventions that are been made by individuals, organizations, and even the Ugandan government. I believe that if we need to create a better future, we need to be part of the solution. There is joy that comes from knowing that I have been part of the change and that a child, a family, and even a woman, their lives have been transformed because of my efforts. For that reason, I am thankful that I get to work with Youth Challenge Internationally has START program as we rewrite different stories that are being told and continuing to contribute to the impact created in the different communities.
Speaker 2:Within your role, how do you work with the Canadian Volunteer Fellows to support the goals of the HEAR Start program?
Speaker 3:I have worked with different Canadian volunteer fellows from different professional backgrounds. They always have expertise and experience in different fields to ensure their productivity. I always work with them to clearly define the objectives and goals that we are working towards. On the HAS Start program, one of the most important aspects has been creating a multicultural environment where each volunteer feels respected and appreciated. Within the workspace, I have worked with an amazing team to streamline communication channels and to ensure that there is flexibility in work objectives. As volunteer fellows identify the field in which they can serve better, I have empowered them to take lead on some of the areas that they are conant with. Fellows always participate in an in-country orientation where we share knowledge and experience about culture and work adaptability, and this prepares them for the reality of volunteering. In addition, we have different capacity building sessions and we share resources or different platforms to address fellow needs and support their work on the HASAD program.
Speaker 2:So now I'd like to talk about the Partner Innovation fund. Can you tell us a little bit more about the Partner Innovation fund and how it furthers the impact of the Hears Star program?
Speaker 3:One of the main components of the Her Start Program is the partnership sustainability plan that assesses partners capacity to not only support the Hears Start program, but also to grow as partners and contribute to gender equality and the impact being created in their communities. The Partner Innovation Fund is part of the partnership sustainability plan, and this helps partners to meet the identified needs. This can be through creating projects, acquiring resources, or seeking technical support aimed at building their capacity. An example, one of our partners has been implementing the healthstar program, but they didn't have a clear gender strategy within their organization. They felt the need to integrate agenda lines in their programs through the Partner Innovation Fund. To us, the impact created goes beyond what the Hasta program is creating. We aim at empowering program beneficiaries, the partners, volunteer fellows, and the different stakeholders with knowledge, skills, and resources geared towards creating social , gender and environmental impact.
Speaker 2:Looking to the future after seven years , how do you think Youth Challenge International's, her START program will continue to have a positive impact?
Speaker 3:Has that program will continue thriving through its different stakeholders? Partners have been empowered through the partnership sustainability plan where they have gained the capacity to continue delivering solutions that contribute to environmental social impact. The Headstart program is currently delivering trainings on social entrepreneurship where women have been equipped with knowledge, resources, and funding to implement social enterprises aimed at creating social impacts in their community. Women have been able to ideate and each big businesses and through the Catalyst Fund, they have started producing products and offering services in their communities. Jobs have been created and the families affected are able to support their children in schools. For some environmental businesses, each product made reduces poor waste disposal and its effects in the environment. The HAS START program is planting a seed for the future through investing in young women to come up with innovative solutions to the social, gender, and environmental needs. For us to realize the impact in the future, the best time to start was yesterday. I am confident that the Her Start program is working towards the future that we all envision.
Speaker 2:And finally, if you could pass on any advice to any young women listening, what would it be?
Speaker 3:To the young women out there, I need you to know that you are worth, you are valuable and deserving of love and all the good things that life has to offer. You can achieve incredible things and all you need to do is to trust in your abilities and unique qualities. A lot of people believe in us as women, and I encourage each woman out there to it utilize the opportunities available from those who believe in you. Sometimes we get overwhelmed with family life and responsibilities, but always remember that you need to fuel your own self before you can continue lighting for others.
Speaker 2:Thank you very much for sharing. Isabelle,
Speaker 1:Thanks for joining us today and learning about how you challenge International has partnered with young women to advance gender equality globally and creates a social entrepreneurship ecosystem with a positive impact for all. If you enjoy this hairstyle, innovate the Future podcast episode. Please subscribe and share our episodes on social media. A special thanks to the fellows that volunteer their time in Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda who help create these episodes. Y Cs has start , innovate. The future and fellowship programs are funded through the government of Canada's volunteer corporation program, providing skilled Canadians opportunities to volunteer with global partners and advance Canada's feminist international assistance policy. Join us and thousands of young people around the globe creating a better future together. Learn more@yci.org or hair.org .
