Celebration - Women's Day, Commonwealth Day, New Website
The Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships Alumni Association of Uganda (CSFAAU) marked a significant moment on March 16th, 2024, as it celebrated Women’s Day and Commonwealth Day with a memorable event that included the launch of its official website.
The event, graced by esteemed guests and members, commenced with opening remarks from the Vice President of CSFAAU, Ms. Zaharah Namanda. Ms. Namanda underscored the vital role women have played in the socio-economic development of nations and expressed gratitude for the support provided by the Commonwealth Scholarships Commission in empowering women through education.
A thought-provoking panel discussion ensued, delving into the challenges faced by women and girls in underprivileged communities, rural areas, and refugee settlements in Uganda. Solutions were proposed, emphasizing the crucial role of both parents (mothers and fathers) in nurturing responsible citizens and addressing societal issues. The panel was moderated by the CSFAAU President, Mr Collins Ogara. The panelists included Susan Opok Tumusiime, the Executive Director of the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE - Uganda), alongside two high achieving members of CSFAAU who are deeply involved in gender equality and girl child empowerment roles in their careers - Ms Petua Isabirye and Ms Zaharah Namanda.
Ten outstanding female members of the alumni association were recognized and received the inaugural Outstanding Alumni Award for their contributions to Uganda's economy, receiving certificates from the Guest of Honour, Deputy Inspector General of Government, Dr. Patricia Achan Okiria. Dr. Achan delivered an enlightening speech focusing on the economic empowerment of women and the significance of investing in their development, in line with the theme of this year's Women's Day.
Keynote speaker Josephine Olok, an alumna of CSFAAU, delivered an inspiring address (download speech below). As the founder of FITSPA, Ms Olok is an influencer and leader in Uganda’s FinTech sector. Her keynote speech eloquently delivered hard truths about the plight of women in decision-making roles, albeit detailing the successes of women who've beat the odds to succeed. With hearty examples from personal experience and from the lives of other influencers, Ms Olok painted a clear picture of the potential societal advancements achievable through investments in women. Her insightful speech can be accessed via the CSFAAU website.
The day was crowned with the official launch of the CSFAAU website. Led by the CSFAAU Publicity Team, Simon Golola and Crystal Rutangye-Bazirake, the website's features were showcased through a dynamic presentation, culminating in its inauguration by Dr. Achan.
The event concluded with a vibrant photography session and a luncheon, bringing together leaders from various sectors of Uganda's government and private industry. CSFAAU reaffirmed its commitment to promoting female leadership and empowerment, marking a significant milestone in its mission.
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