Whether it's vying for a highly sought-after concert ticket or outperforming colleagues in a task, many of us find ourselves engaged in constant competition, irrespective of the scale or ambition of the challenge. But at the Atelier on July 20, women from international organizations, business, entrepreneurship, activism, and art came together for a series of panel discussions. The event's theme was Community over Competition, focusing on how women can work collectively to drive sustainable change. The panelists sat among the crowd. They sipped. They snacked. They directed funny questions at each other, and then at the audience. They divulged intimate stories. They got emotional. As the questions flowed, some touched on their involvement in various projects, personal experiences with sexual abuse and violence, and the strides they've made in fighting gender inequality and advocating for women's rights on personal and organizational levels. The relaxed atmosphere blurred the lines between speakers and audience. Aligned with the theme Artistic Alliances: Fostering Women's Economic Empowerment through Creative Collaboration, the discussions delved into comprehensive strategies that tackle the societal and economic challenges faced by women. These multifaceted efforts span across different levels to create lasting change. Below is a concise overview of the discussions between the six women, each representing diverse professional backgrounds, and the unique perspectives and agendas they brought to the meeting: How can digital platforms be utilized to connect and empower young women in underdeveloped economies facilitating knowledge, knowledge exchange, and collaboration? As the Co-Founder and CEO of Illume Creative Studio, a communications agency specializing in photography and video, Joan Mazimhaka gives special attention to the importance of providing internet access for everyone. She believes that women's underrepresentation in certain industries does not result from their lack of activity in the field but rather from a lack of opportunities to demonstrate their capabilities. To tackle this problem, Mazimhaka’s team developed the Women's Storytellers program, which aims to create a platform for showcasing and uplifting women's work while also offering job opportunities. Digital platforms are seen as a powerful tool to break down barriers and allow individuals, especially women, to share their stories and have their voices heard. It offers agency and freedom, enabling people to dictate their own terms and access opportunities previously limited by physical gatekeeping. While efforts are being made in Rwanda to improve internet access and digital opportunities, the situation varies across the continent. How can we address the unique challenges young women face in accessing capital and financial resources for their innovative ventures? Dr. Osasuyi Dirisu, the Executive Director of Policy Innovation Center of NESG, has dedicated her life to working with vulnerable young people, starting as a medical doctor in a rural hospital, then transitioning into social sciences. She has worked with various groups, including pregnant teenage girls who dropped out of school, young drug users, and young female sex workers. Owing to this background, she emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical perspective and context of these women's lives before addressing their issues. For example, a pregnant teenage girl may lack the necessary education and literacy to take control of her life and make informed decisions. Similarly, young female sex workers face challenges in reintegrating into society after rehabilitation. Dr. Dirisu stresses the need to consider different vulnerabilities and norms that young girls face and suggests personalized approaches to address their specific interests and needs. Instead of relying on individual microfinance options, why not form collectives, which can receive empowerment training and better access to capital to build group businesses? What specific policy changes or initiatives are needed to create an enabling environment for young women to thrive in underdeveloped economies? Recently, Rhoda Robinson, the co-founder and executive director of Hacey, discovered the insufficient financial commitment to women's rights issues, with just 1.9% of US funding being allocated to them. She argues that policies and initiatives alone are not enough without dedicated funding. There is a need for deliberate investments in women's capacity and opportunities to create an equal ground. Ensuring equal opportunities for both girls and boys is crucial, while also recognizing and addressing the social, economic, and psychological obstacles that may hinder girls from fully benefiting from these opportunities. Deliberate action to ensure no girl is left behind, regardless of their location or background, she added. Digital technology and platforms are seen as essential for advancing the women's rights movement, but Robinson acknowledges the existing digital divide in rural areas that limits women's access to technology and its benefits. Promoting collaboration among different sectors and communities is vital, recognizing the significance of development, creative, and media spaces coming together to share women's stories and drive policy changes. The ultimate goal is to secure more significant support and investment to bring about positive transformations for women. How can collaborations and partnerships between organizations working in women's economic empowerment, gender equality, women's health, and the creative sector maximize impact and ensure sustainability of outcomes? For Linda Bihire, a Strategic Partnerships Specialist, Rwanda is a success story and she attributes its progress to visionary leadership and policy changes. Leadership, she says, plays a crucial role in making policies and funding work effectively. Rwanda's efforts have included changing laws related to naturalization, trade, financing, and gender discrimination to promote gender equality and women's empowerment. Much work remains to empower women, particularly in rural areas. Bihire advocates for rural connectivity as a crucial aspect that often gets neglected in discussions about urbanization and development. Rural communities face challenges with river crossings, isolation, and lack of access to basic facilities. Addressing rural connectivity is essential for achieving sustainable and inclusive development. She also spoke on the importance of connecting rural areas and empowering women and girls, who are often at the forefront of daily responsibilities and caregiving in their households. How can we establish collaborative occupation centers that are women led in thinking how we can provide safe and inclusive government for young people and specifically young, innovative women? Multidisciplinary artist and curator Jemima Kakizi recommends working with established organizations for mentorship and support. The speaker highlighted the need for inclusivity and open calls to give access to funding and opportunities to more people within the community. Mentorship programs are deemed crucial as they inspire and guide young individuals in their creative pursuits. The speaker encourages a community-over-competition mindset, where collaboration and sharing ideas foster growth and innovation. She recalls her experience with the collective of Rwandan women artists, drawing on the importance of working together, supporting each other, and sharing opportunities to collectively progress and put Rwanda on the map in the creative industry. Lastly, she added, it is pertinent to take into consideration women's unique barriers, such as postpartum depression and other challenges, when designing policies and spaces in the creative field. How can the public, private, and NGO sectors collaborate to create safe spaces for young, innovative women? Hope Azeda of Mashirika’s real aim seems to be breaking down barriers and working together as a community to foster empathy, playfulness, and healing. We must first identify gaps and understand the psychological barriers young girls face. Why? Healing from past traumas is crucial for promoting innovation and growth. By tapping into each other's stories and experiences, Azeda believes that together, the community can piece a fuller picture and find solutions to the issues they face. Then she added, with an air of seriousness, “if a woman has past wounds, she cannot innovate. If we fail to reconnect with our inner child, lost through trauma like rape, it becomes challenging to heal and move forward. It's time to recognize and address these gaps in our healing process.”
