Miria Matembe Advocates for Women’s Mutual Support in Workplace Development

Former ethics minister Miria Matembe recently delivered a compelling message, urging women to foster mutual support in their careers and workplace growth. Addressing a gathering of young women at Jubilee Insurance headquarters in Kampala, Matembe, renowned for her activism in women’s empowerment, highlighted the importance of cooperation over competition among women. She lamented the prevalence of a competitive attitude, emphasizing that it undermines the solidarity essential for advancing women’s rights and opportunities.

Matembe’s remarks were made on Sunday, March 10, 2024, during an event commemorating Women’s Day. The event’s theme, “Guiding the Gen Z Woman to Thrive in the Workplace Environment,” underscored the significance of empowering young women for success in professional settings.

Acknowledging the need for women to uplift each other, Matembe emphasized the role of mentorship and learning from accomplished women. She criticized the tendency for women to view successful peers as rivals, noting that such behavior diminishes the collective progress of women in society.

“We are a perfection of God’s image just like men and we are the quests of honor on this earth who deserve equal contribution,” Matembe affirmed, advocating for a paradigm shift towards collaboration and support among women.

Work-life balance emerged as a central concern during the event, with Camilla Mindru, manager of marketing affairs at Jubilee Insurance, highlighting its significance. Mindru underscored the challenges women face in balancing professional responsibilities with family commitments, emphasizing the potential consequences of neglecting this balance, including societal and familial disintegration.

Mindru also stressed the importance of organizations addressing mental health concerns as part of their inclusivity efforts, recognizing the impact of such support on women’s well-being and productivity.

Justine Mundura, head of human resources at Jubilee Insurance, echoed Matembe’s call for women’s empowerment in the workplace. Mundura urged women to actively compete with their male counterparts, emphasizing the need for recognition based on merit rather than gender.

“Women will be unable to also upgrade in their education levels to add on skills and serve perfectly in their communities,” she noted.

She further encouraged women to leverage their talents and capabilities to advance their careers, emphasizing the importance of seizing opportunities for growth and progression.

Recent statistics underscored the significance of addressing gender disparities in the workforce. While women constitute 49.4% of Uganda’s workforce, they often encounter gender bias and discrimination, hindering their advancement. The World Bank reported an increase in the labor force participation rate among females, highlighting progress yet underscoring ongoing challenges.

Efforts to address vulnerable employment for women have shown improvement over time, though disparities persist. In 2022, vulnerable employment rates stood at 82.2% for women and 68.2% for men, indicating the need for continued advocacy and support for women’s economic empowerment.