In the modern corporate world, leadership remains a male-dominated space. Despite women making up a significant percentage of the workforce, they continue to face barriers when striving for executive positions. According to the Women Leadership Development Program Survey Report (2024), “only 35% of organizations have women occupying 25% or fewer of their senior leadership roles, while a mere 15% of companies have women in more than 75% of leadership positions”.
One woman, however, is on a mission to change this. Dorcus Magoba is a leadership trainer, HR specialist, and founder of Tabita Initiative Africa. Through her Tabita Leadership Program (TLP), she equips women with skills, mentorship, and professional networks to help them break into leadership roles. In this exclusive interview, Dorcus shares her journey, the challenges women face, and how she is transforming the future of women’s leadership.
Dorcus Magoba’s passion for women’s leadership development was shaped by her own challenges in corporate leadership.
“For over 14 years, I have trained leaders across different industries. But in 2023, I made a bold decision to focus exclusively on empowering women,” Dorcus shares. “This shift was personal. I experienced firsthand the struggles of stepping into leadership without mentorship or guidance.”
Dorcus’ experience is echoed in data from the Women Leadership Development Program Survey, which states that “lack of access to leadership development programs and mentorship opportunities are two of the biggest barriers preventing women from advancing to executive roles”.
Determined to bridge the gender leadership gap, Dorcus launched the Tabita Leadership Program (TLP) under Tabita Initiative Africa.
The program has already trained and mentored hundreds of women, equipping them with tools to excel in leadership.
The TLP is structured around three core areas: Corporate Leadership Training – “Partnering with organizations to train female employees in leadership, executive presence, and decision-making.”
Executive Coaching & Mentorship – “Providing 1-on-1 coaching to help women overcome workplace biases, self-doubt, and leadership challenges.”
Online Leadership Academy – “Offering digital leadership training, live coaching, and networking opportunities for women across different regions.”
These initiatives are crucial, considering that “only 43% of women own a mobile phone and less than 9% of women in Uganda have access to the internet,” limiting their ability to engage in professional development programs.
Despite global efforts to promote gender diversity, women continue to face significant hurdles in leadership.
According to Dorcus Magoba, key barriers include lack of mentorship and training, as many women step into leadership roles unprepared. Workplace biases and stereotypes force women to constantly prove their competence more than men, slowing their career progression. Limited networking opportunities further hinder their growth, as leadership success relies on access to influential circles. Additionally, imposter syndrome and self-doubt cause many women to underestimate their abilities and hesitate to take on leadership roles, preventing them from reaching their full potential.
These challenges are reinforced by the Women Leadership Development Program Survey, which found that “54% of women feel unprepared to take on leadership roles due to confidence and self-promotion challenges”.
Tabita Leadership Program has already had a tangible impact on women’s careers.
“One of our participants, Jane, was afraid to apply for a senior leadership position in her company. Through our coaching and mentorship sessions, she developed the skills, mindset, and confidence to apply—and she got the job! Now, she’s not only leading a team but also mentoring other women in her organization,” Dorcus shares.
Stories like Jane’s are critical because “women-led organizations have been found to generate 34% higher returns on investment than male-led companies”. Yet, Uganda’s “labour force participation rate for women remains at only 39%, compared to 48% for men”.
Dorcus has a powerful message for women who want to step into leadership but feel uncertain: “Your leadership journey starts with you believing in yourself. Don’t wait for permission—take action. Invest in yourself, build your skills, and surround yourself with people who uplift you.”
She highlights three practical steps for women to accelerate their leadership journey: Invest in continuous learning, “Take leadership courses- attend training sessions, and develop new skills to stay ahead.” Build a strong network -“Connect with mentors and fellow women leaders who can offer guidance, support, and inspiration.” Step out of your comfort zone- “Embrace challenges, speak up in meetings, and lead with confidence.”
These steps are particularly crucial as “women make up over 50% of Uganda’s population but continue to be underrepresented in decision-making roles”.
How to Get Involved with Tabita Leadership Program
Whether you’re an aspiring female leader, a corporate organization, or a mentor, Tabita Leadership Program offers valuable opportunities: Women Leaders: “Enroll in leadership training and mentorship programs to develop essential executive skills.” Corporate Organizations: “Partner with TLP to empower female employees through executive leadership training.”
Mentors: “Support the next generation of women leaders by offering mentorship and sponsorship.”
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let’s commit to supporting women in leadership—because “when women lead, everyone benefits.”
