Women entrepreneurs

To honour International Women´s Day, we present the women from Sub-Saharan Africa we work and partner with.

Because it is International Women’s Day 2022, we would like to present some amazing women that are related to Action10. By explaining their role in the organization, we also hope to increase your understanding of the way we operate and the positive impact that, together with them, we generate.

Without further delay, let’s start with Millicent. Millicent fulfills the role of team leader in our RISE center in Kenya. We can understand RISE centers as branches of our organization located in different African countries. RISE centers provide consultancy, workshops, and support to all the participants in our projects. Millicent, for example, has the vital role of contributing to the evaluation protocols of the projects, developing reports, as well as other things. You can read more about Millicent and an interview we conducted with her – Meet Millicent, our team leader in Kenya.

“Empowering people, especially the marginalized, is what motivates me.”

Millicent

Next, we would like to introduce Virginia. Virginia is one of our partners in Kenya. This means she is one of the social entrepreneurs that accessed one of our loans and with whom our team in Africa is working side by side to develop her business further. Recently, Virginia told us that raising the living standards of people around her was one of the things that motivated her to start a business. You can learn more about Virginia and read the full interview on the programme page – Developing a retail business in Kenya.

“Hope for a better tomorrow is what motivates me in the first place.“

Virginia

Third, we would like to introduce all the women who participate in our programme in rural Togo. These women assist in workshops and receive coaching from a RISE center and work very hard to beat poverty and take care of their families.

Some of the activities they do involve selling maize, local drinks, fruits, among other things. They also include setting up tailoring or hairdressing businesses. Because of this, many of them are now happy to contribute to the well-being of their families like, for example, taking care of the school fees of their children. You can support them and learn more about the programme – Small business endeavours in Togo.

The women involved in the programme are more appreciated since they started their business and, as they testify – joy joined their families!

“Empowering people, especially the marginalized, is what motivates me.”

Millicent is a Master’s graduate in Medical and Veterinary Entomology from the University of Nairobi. She has worked in marginalized communities as a volunteer graduate assistant.

Apart from supporting and strengthening education outcomes in the community, she participated in community sensitization programs addressing hunger and food insecurities.

When the founder of Action10 and HR&S, Cecilia Öman, came to the University of Nairobi to hold a Research management workshop, Millicent noted that they shared common values, goals, and interests. That´s how their collaboration started!

I believe a paradigm shift will occur because there will be more opportunities for women all around that they can harness regardless of their level of education or social economic status.

As our coach, Millicent helps design programmes in Kenya and perform evaluation planning, works with stakeholder analysis and stakeholder management, develops and implements business plans, collects information from surveys, and develops the annual programme report.

Name, age, and where are you from?

My name is Millicent Sifuna. My origins are in Kenya. At the moment, I live in Nairobi, Kenya.

What do you do for a living?

I recently completed my master’s degree in Medical Entomology. Malaria and arboviruses are two of my main research interests. I’d like to begin my Ph.D. studies as soon as possible. All of this is due to my strong interest in research.

Is there an issue related to the empowerment of women that is particularly important to you?

Yes. Women face obstacles in Africa and around the world when it comes to pursuing a professional career, particularly in research. The path taken is riddled with obstacles of various kinds. One challenge many women face all over the world is the ability to balance motherhood and career.

Most women in Africa feel that they cannot do both effectively. She either has to stay home and take care of the children or hire a house help. House helps can sometimes disappoint and, in such cases, knowing that a crèche is available at work is a great resource. 

I am convinced that women’s empowerment requires access to resources as well as the ability and willingness to mobilize them, and I believe it is possible. In addition, women in Africa receive a less formal education, and their knowledge and coping mechanisms are frequently unrecognized.

What challenges do you face related to your work?

As the team leader at RISE Centre Kenya, I sometimes struggle with dealing with the challenges that come with change. I need to understand how things will change, plan for it, and account for the consequences. I’m always on the lookout for ways to reassure teams when things are uncertain and bring people along for the ride when they’re resistant to change, all while maintaining consistency and clarity.

What motivates you?

Empowering people, especially the marginalized, is what motivates me. I relish the opportunity to reach out to such people while making a difference and interacting with a vast majority. I would love to use my research background in vector-borne diseases, a big problem in Africa, to empower people to live disease-free and healthy lives.

Is there anything the international community can do to assist in the empowerment of women where you live?

Yes. In collaboration with local governments self-help groups, churches, and NGOs, the international community can promote women’s potential through education/training and skill development, thus improving women’s skill set and ability to earn income and achieve economic self-reliance.

Through self-awareness, discovering abilities, and potential, I believe a paradigm shift will occur because there will be more opportunities for women all around that they can harness regardless of their level of education or social-economic status.