On the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, CCP is pleased to celebrate the achievements of the many women who lead our organization, run our country programs and partner agencies and head our efforts to improve health and save lives around the world.
These women have pushed socially-constructed boundaries, balanced work and family and shouldered responsibility for the successes, and failures, of their projects.
Their stories are inspirational. Please join us in saluting them.
Anne Barabogoza Gamurorwa (Uganda)
Executive Director, Communication for Development Foundation Uganda (CDFU); Director, Young Empowered and Healthy (YEAH)
When I was a child, it was considered a rule that women were not good in mathematics. For that reason I never tried in the subject which made my father very angry. He scolded me, saying, “Anne, never let any boy think he is better than you just because you are a girl!” While the lesson to stand up for myself is one that has stayed with me, I still sometimes find myself deferring to men, even when I know their ideas are no better than mine. And I am always amazed when I receive accolades for my leadership abilities. Despite advances in education, I think that women in Uganda have been socialized to feel inferior to men. Is it because we lack a deep, commanding voice? It is a challenging to go against our prescribed gender roles; when a woman leader succeeds, she is regarded with suspicion, as someone who has invaded a man’s turf. But those women leaders who have broken the mold provide very important positive role models for the young women in our country. You feel that your life is well spent when a young woman can look to you and say, “If she can do it, so can I!”
Emily Kesiime Katarikawe (Uganda)
Managing Director, Uganda Health Marketing Group (UHMG)
As Managing Director of UHMG, I remind myself daily that I am responsible for ensuring that UHMG delivers on its commitments. I feel this is important, not just for my organization but for Uganda as a whole. My country has just begun to realize that women are capable of leading, so if I don’t follow through on my commitments there will be negative repercussions for all women across Uganda. Because it is new for women to assume leadership roles in Uganda, expectations are extremely high. The demands are enormous and the challenge of balancing roles as a mother, professional and wife is great. But I remain motivated by the fact that I am in a position to make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged women and children. I define my path by remembering that, as a woman, I am blessed, I am different and I am on a mission.
Susan Krenn (United States)
Director, CCP
I feel very privileged to be in this position. I get to do work I love and make a positive contribution to people’s lives. At the same time, while not always easy, I am able to strike a fulfilling balance between my work and my family life. This is especially important as I want to be a positive role model for the next generation of young female leaders. My message to them: neither gender, age, nationality, or any other demographic makes a good leader; it is the integrity of your agenda and your passion that matters.
Glory Mkandwire (Malawi)
Project Director, Bridge II Project
As a woman and leader in Malawi, I feel I have the opportunity to help my fellow women and girls by inspiring them to work toward their goals. Three years ago, I had the opportunity to visit a secondary school for girls in Lilongwe and share my personal story with the students. Two years later I met a girl who told me that she was at that meeting and that my story inspired her to work hard in school. There is nothing more meaningful in the world than hearing that you have had a positive effect on a life. Being a woman leader gives me the opportunity to reach out, not only among my neighbors but to the global community.
Mojisola Aderonke Odeku (Nigeria)
Project Director, Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative
A few years ago I met a government administrator who had read many technical memos I had written justifying the allocation of resources to reproductive health and evidence-based programming. When I was introduced to him in person, he called out forcefully, “Are you the Dr. Odeku whose submissions I’ve been reading over the past few months?” He was certain that I was a man because I presented my arguments with strength and logic. That is the kind of environment we find in Africa. Women are more respected when people see that we can argue intelligently; the value of education for women in my country cannot be underestimated. As women we must ensure that we are a step above average to make a difference.
Fitri Putjuk (Indonesia)
Country Representative
As a woman leader in Indonesia, I am well-placed to assist both women and men to achieve a better quality of life. In order to succeed, women need to be connected at all levels across the country, from the community level and up through the government. And women can never stop learning. I feel so fortunate to be able to contribute to my country’s efforts to reach health goals, like access to FP methods and clean water. Being a women leader in the public health world means changing people’s behavior for the better.
Régina Traore Serie (Côte d’Ivoire)
HIV/AIDS Advisor
I am often called a "Manlike Woman" in Cote d'Ivoire, meaning that I do not need assistance providing for myself. Single women like me are thought of differently in my country as, in general, women are expected to balance time-consuming jobs with the demands of family and children. In my role leading CCP's country program in Cote d'Ivoire, I try to be a model for young women who are seeking advice. In general, I have found that so long as I am competent and strict, men respect me and do not have a hard time reporting to me as their supervisor.
Sanjanthi Velu (India)
Country Director
When I first took on the directorship of a USAID-funded project in India in 2007, colleagues warned me that because I looked relatively young in comparison to my peers, I should sprinkle white powder in my hair when attending meetings with government officials. They said this would make me look older and would make the staff at meetings take me more seriously! Grey hair aside, it is an exciting time to be a woman in a leadership position in India. India is perpetually at the cross roads of tradition and modernization, global influences and local customs, but more women are understanding and valuing education and economic independence and more men are happy to support women as they take on leadership roles in all sectors, from politics and business, to media and cultural fields.
