YOUNG WOMAN ON THE RISE SHARING EXPERIENCES

1. YOUNG WOMAN ON THE RISE SHARING EXPERIENCES BY SALOME CHAVULA KAYIRA PRESENTED AT PROFESSIONAL WOMEN CONFERENCE NKOPOLA SUNBIRD

2. SALOME CHAVULA KAYIRA FCCA CA (MW) • PROFILE • Head of Finance and Administration -The Hunger Project • Service: 5.5 Years • Overseeing and leading the finance team at The Hunger Project Malawi and Zambia. • Board Memberships • Center for Environmental Policy Advocacy (CEPA) July 2017- to date • Committee for the Corporative for Non-Governmental Organizations in Malawi (CONGOMA) January 2015 – to date • TADALA SACCO October 2018 – to date • Taskforce Member of The Hunger Project Global (New York) Compliance team and financial systems development, representing 8 Program Countries in Africa on this platform. 2016-2017 “This was not easy. It came with strong determination, hard work, challenges, persistence, but there were great opportunities as well.”

3. Fact Sharing • ICAM membership stood at 1,163 as at 31 July 2017. (2018 stats are not yet out) • 25% of the ICAM members are female • 13% are in the practicing category • Practicing category being the highest level in the accountancy profession

4. Why is this the case? • Accounting has been thought of as being tough and only for men • Most prominent positions in the country have been dominated by men for so long that women have become complacent • Our society considers women to be weak and not able to lead • When women are asked to take part most women do not come forth

5. Basis of my experiences • Factual and not hypothetical • Challenges shared are likely faced by not only me but by many other young women professionals out there • Opportunities for achievement can be achieved by anyone of us • No names have been mentioned in my stories

6. Challenges we face as young women professionals • a) External Road blocks • b) Internal Road blocks • c) Professional Road Blocks

7. Experience #1: • Young inexperienced Accounts Assistant for company X which had women with 5 to 10+ years experience • Still a student at reputable accountancy college • Bullied by fellow women and a male head of department • Confidence bruised – internal road block

8. Lessons & advice from Experience 1 • As women we sometimes bring each other down instead of pulling each other up • Starting a career path is not easy, it can be tough • “Nip it in the bud” – Suppress before it gets big • My message: As a young professional woman do not be discouraged when you meet such obstacles, make this challenge a motivation and reason to work hard. • To those experienced, let’s not crush young professionals

9. Experience #2 • Worked in the audit industry- 2 big firms- Y and Z • Was at par with a male colleague and we both join at the same time • As we both rose up in hierarchy, I had more to prove , can I handle difficult clients, go to the field in remote places etc • Juggling motherhood and career

10. Experience #3 • Inspired by my current employer’s vision and principles: Gender Equality and Women Empowerment • Early challenges: • Never held a senior management position • Youngest member of SMT • Being only female on one of the boards

11. Professionals who inspired me • Mrs. Dorothy Ngwira – The Managing partner of Graham Carr, the President of ICAM (at the time) • Dr. Rosemary Mkandawire – CEO Toyota Malawi • Mrs. TemwaSimwaka - CFO Standard Bank

12. Closing Message • Young women can rise to leadership positions if we support each other • Network yourself with positive thinking women/ like minded professionals • Young leading women – must NOW be generational thinkers by helping those who reach out to you for support- lets lift each other up! • Let struggles and challenges motivate you • Keep updating yourself and open up yourself to learning • Don’t be afraid to go on a limb, that’s where the fruit is.

13. THE END • THANK YOU