A publication of Centre for Economic and Leadership Developement

THE INVENTIVE & A PROFILE IN TRAILBLAZING EXCELLENCE - DR. CAREER OF ZANETOR PATRICIA BATH AGYEMAN- RAWLINGS

ELAINE LAN CHAO MAKING LIFE THE RELEVANT COUNT FOR IMMIGRANT OTHERS - ALICE EDUARDO

HELEN ORITSEJAFOR A LIFE OF SERVICE TO HUMANITY

Amazons Watch Magazine is indeed driven with a philosophy that is fueled by an undying passion and an absolute pleasure to tell stories of Amazons, that would shape cultures, in uence purchasing decisions and government policies, transform economies; and most importantly inspire the teeming generation of upcoming women – this is our mandate.  is passion stems from a deep desire to see women from the developing world, take a seat on the decision tables of Global institutions, Peace missions and businesses. For only then, can the world experience meaningful development.

In this edition of Amazons Watch, we bring you the story of a quintessential woman, Reverend Helen Oritsejafor, a woman who has blazed the trail in all aspects of human endeavor and sel ess service to humanity. Helen Oritsejafor could easily be described as a woman of class, elegance, and beauty, and most profoundly, a philanthropist, who has devoted her energy, taking up the responsibility to reach out to the needy, hopeless, homeless, and poor in the society, touching lives, world over, through support for child education, women empowerment, and poverty alleviation.

Contained also are other interesting articles on topics ranging from women in governance, health, relationships, fashion ideas for work as well as tips for dealing with kids this summer.

We reiterate our commitment to continue to serve you, tell your stories, and hold your hands on the journey, while stopping to celebrate and recognize the achievements, joys and victories along the way.

PUBLISHER’S We will continue to celebrate amazing women through this unique global platform. We reiterate NOTE our commitment to push for inclusive leadership as a crucial step to accomplishing global sustainability best practices. We will continue to promote initiatives and partnerships that aim to inspire, and campaign Welcome to the World for greater representation of women both on company boards and in the  eld. of Amazons. We are truly committed on this path which we have Welcome to the World of Amazons, a world gladly chosen to tread and we urge you to stay with us where the celebration of dogged and ground as we shine the spotlight on the unrelenting e orts of breaking e orts of women form the lyrics Amazons from developing Nations on the World stage. of our anthem; a world where freedom and equality for women of all races and class Relax, maybe grab a glass and welcome to our world! are vigorously pursued and protected; a world where the  ag of female leadership, innovation, impact, inspiration and aspiration is consistently  own at full-mast, signaling the dawn of an era where women have resolved to stand tall, refusing to be bowed down, incurably committed to taking on new territories, communities, changing one life Furo Giami a er another, while leaving a trail of diverse possibilities for upcoming women to follow. Publisher/Editor in Chief CONTENT 30 The Motivating Story of a Skilled Entre- preneur

24 Tips to Creating a Fulfilling Homemade COVER Summer for Working STORY 8 Moms and Kids

ARTICLES 34 The Woman in Business Can Succeed Despite the Odds

Is it time to Overcoming Bulimia 42 leave home? 50 My Story

Negativity Aids Cancer STEM: The World’s Offense 46 Growth! 26 Against Women

FEATURE 54 Making Life Count for Others

62 The Inventive & Trailblazing Career of Patricia Bath

68 Elaine Lan Chao: The Relevant Immigrant

66 An overview of Maternal Employment

36 Late Governor Joyce Laboso’s Last Words to Female Leaders The Inventive & Trailblazing Career of Patricia Bath

INTERVIEW

8 | Amazons Watch | ISSUE 16 COVER STORY Helen Oritsejafor A Life of Service to Humanity

About 90 million people - roughly half of Nigeria’s population - live in extreme poverty, according to estimates from the World Data Lab’s Poverty Clock. Nigeria is home to over 10 million out-of-school children, around half of whom are girls - and it is hardly coincidental that the country with the world’s highest number of out-of-school children is home to the highest number of people living in extreme poverty. Therefore, it becomes relevant to celebrate a woman who has blazed the trail in all aspects of human endeavor and selfless service to humanity. Helen Oritsejafor could easily be described as a woman of class, elegance, and beauty, and most profoundly, a philanthropist, who has devoted her energy, taking up the responsibility to reach out to the needy, hopeless, homeless, and poor in the society, touching lives world over through support for child education, women empowerment, and poverty alleviation.

Helen Oritsejafor is the co-pastor of Word of Life Bible Church International Gospel Centre, headquartered in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria. Over the years, as a social entrepreneur and philanthropist, Oritsejafor has also impacted the lives of people all over the world through her service to mankind in establishing several companies, including the Eagle Flight Micro Finance Bank Limited, African Broadcasting Network TV Station, and Eagle Height International School, among others.

In this exclusive interview, Oritsejafor shared with Amazons Watch magazine’s Ehis Ayere, some of the challenges and accomplishments of being a Pastor’s wife, an entrepreneur, a mentor, and most importantly, a philanthropist. Excerpts:

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He was a wonderful man; he loved people. I would always reference the fact that I learnt so many things from him, especially when it has to do with being a philanthropist. My father became father to many children who were not biologically his, through philanthropy.

When I was eight years old, I had an experience that was incredible. I, alongside my siblings and cousins were invited to a ceremony. A family friend had a baby and we were invited over to celebrate with her.

I was just about to enter the house when the woman of the house approached me and said I have a special plate of rice with big chicken for you. As a child of 8, it was quite exciting to be singled out among my siblings. So by the time I got to where the food was set out, just trying to pick the plate, a hand pushed my hand over and led me to picking another plate. I couldn’t resist the hand. I heard this voice: “don’t”. My cousin who was by me ate the food. But by the time we got home, she started convulsing. It was a dramatic moment. I am sad to say she died. She took my death. Anytime I think about it, I Please tell us about your feel teary because it was such an background and some of your experience for an 8-year old girl. experiences growing up as a girl. As a little girl, I would put myself My name is Helen Adunola on a fast, and my father would Oritsejafor. I am a Pastor and I ask me ‘what’s wrong with you?’ am mostly called Mama Helen. I How could you be fasting at this actually came from Addo-Ekiti. age? My father is from Addo-Ekiti and my mom is from Ondo State. So you have a Christian My parents were both great background? educationist. My father had a school assisted by my mother Yes. It is a Christian background. and the school turned out to The condition of having to just be one of the best schools at look for God, even though, that time. My mom had five he wasn’t missing, and just of us and she passed on after trust him and have every bit the fifth child. So, my father of experiencing him was just I have always been had to remarry and also had there. My father couldn’t just concubines, so you can officially understand why I was that driven wired through service, say that I am from a polygamous and sometimes they would go to providing services to home. Growing up without a him and say “she refused to eat”. people and adding mother was quite challenging. Evidently, every child would love Was this before the incident? value. to have the love of a mother. My father had to play the duo role It was and continued after the of being a father and a mother. incident. With the innocence

10 | Amazons Watch | ISSUE 16 COVER STORY of just been a child longing for walked to where I was. People I was also involved in creating God, I could just be in a corner were wondering; what it was all Ekiti from Ondo State. I had crying, repeating the same about? Perhaps he had a word some friends in Government then words, “Lord I love you, I want from the Lord? He just handed and when my dad hinted to me to serve you”. So, I went to me his microphone and told about the need to, I immediately school and later ended up in the me ‘the Lord said you will be discussed with my friends and United Kingdom. I spent most preaching today’’. That cannot became very involved in the of my life there. At some point, I be true, I retorted, what am I drive for Ekiti State creation. went through my university age going to be preaching?” I didn’t When it was finally created, and and got my Masters; and then, I even plan for this. I walked down in honour my role and wealth of started business as well, doing to where the pulpit was, opened experience, they said I was going marvelously well. I was really the scriptures and by the time to be one of the first female living large. I was done, it was over two commissioners. hours. That was the beginning We understand that you dropped of my Ministry. But, I wasn’t even I was really gearing towards all your ambition, wealth, and planning to marry a Pastor. I just running home and running my political status to support your loved and wanted to serve God. office. I was putting things in husband, the renowned Rev. place to ensure that my business (Papa) Ayo Oritsejafor in the But one day, there was this very side still functions while I will go Ministry. Kindly tell us more strong desire to return home. I serve my people at home. about some of the aspects of was well situated in the UK and your life you gave up to be with wasn’t planning to go back to Papa. Nigeria, except to visit my father. But then, it kept coming and In the UK, I was doing well. I had it was really strong: “Get back my office. I was an evangelist. home”. You know that in Africa That was an experience in itself. when you hear such voice, there is this tendency to think that it You were running a Ministry in is an evil stuff. But I kept praying the United Kingdom? and I knew that was the voice of the Lord. As a little girl, I would I was going to a church. I just put myself on a fast, and showed up. I was invited to a So, I came back to Nigeria and church and the person who started my business. I started my father would ask me was to minister was just about a construction company, rural ‘what’s wrong with you?’ to start ministering when he electricity and also started a paused and said: “There is bank with some of my friends. I How could you be fasting someone here the Lord is leading have always been a passionate at this age? me to”. He left the Alter and person and very self-driven.

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A man can only function when he is at peace with himself; and it is the peace that a woman gives a man at home that can enable him to think out whatever vision that God has given to him.

One day, it was a Muslim holiday met him. I have never been under How challenging was it to be period, but being a workaholic, his ministry. I have never watched married to a Man of God? I left my apartment and went to or seen him preach before. When the office and also instructed my he walked in, with my British It was challenging and the manager to come over. While background, it was customary for reason I will say this is because at I got a call from a friend that men to stand up when a woman my desire was not to end up with said there was this Man of God walks in, but when a man walks a pastor. That was not part of in town and because they know in the women sit it becomes a my prayer budget for a man. So, I love prayer asked; “won’t it be personal decision for the men to even though I had fasted and all nice if you just come over?” So stand or not. But when this man that I was still struggling. When I said that would be lovely. But showed up, I stood on my feet. It I was leaving the UK for Nigeria, I missed it because at that time was spontaneous for me. my first conclusion was that I we were having a little bit of can stay in Lagos. I was never difficulty setting up things we We all got into a very hearty going to live anywhere else other needed to do in the office. I had conversation, but then being than Lagos. I have never been to to step out and left word with very business minded I cut in Warri. I never knew where Warri my manager to let me know and politely reminded him that is situated, besides seeing it in when my friend showed up so we actually came there for a map. I was really struggling we could go for the meeting. prayers”. But as he started to with this. I was practically saying He didn’t send for me; he never pray, we bowed our heads, and no within me, until one day; came; so I just assumed they also before I knew it, I found myself, my driver didn’t come on time didn’t show up. not literarily, I mean physically, to pick me so I had to drive I had myself positioned by him down to the office, and as I Finally when I got downstairs and I heard a voice: “This is your was driving, I was negotiating at Eko Hotel in Victoria Island, husband”. Yes, that was the a bend somewhere along the Lagos, he said he forgot that experience I had. And it was very way to my office, and I heard a they came. So, I thought it was hard for me because I wasn’t voice that said to me: “The way the will of God. Then, after I was planning to marry a pastor. My up is the way down”. Then, I done, my phone rang, still in my first reaction was that it wasn’t started literally wailing in the car, apartment in Victoria Island, and going to happen. So, I decided wondering why God would want I picked the phone and it turned to wait on the Lord. I took a fast to bring me down. What have I out to be my friend again. So the and all that and on the seventh done? It was very confusing and friend asked if I still wanted to (7) day, just as I was about to sad. When I got to the office, I come and I agreed. So, we went. round up, my phone rang. Lo started praying and asking God: We went to Ikeja at Sheraton and behold, it was him. And I “What is your will for my life?” at Hotel. We were all at the Lounge, just heard on the other side: “My the end of the day, I was broken waiting for the man of God. I had name is Ayo Oritsejafor, may I down, not my will but His will. So, no clue of who this very man of speak with Helen”. It is still as I decided to marry this man and God was. I mean I have never powerful and strong as ever. at that moment peace engulfed

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and some few other things. So, I was practically involved with the building along with all the people. So the structure is there.

Then, the aspect of building the human capital, which has to do with both male and female, and as a pastor’s wife, I am the President-General of Daughters of Sarah Fellowship, which has to do with the women wing of the Church, married women and women, from 36years and above, unmarried. I nurture them and teach them what it is to be married. I encourage them in the aspect of letting them know that life does not end up in the kitchen and having children. And that you can go out there and be everything you desire to be on earth. So, I build capacity.

And yes, of course, I do soul me, a wonderful peace. It was a because when I had that quiet winning. I go out there in great experience. I knew I was time with God I promised that I the market to actually do now in God’s plan for my life. will do my husband good for the crusades, community crusades, Right there, I said some powerful rest of my life. And that is the oil, market crusades- soul winning things to God. I said: “You have the tonic that keeps driving me; practically. In fact, through that to go with me”. everything opportunity I have medium I have been able to raise to add oil to this man is a great hundreds of children, indigent It means that I was not going to honor for me and I do it without students that I have given out be a commissioner anymore. It hesitation at all. scholarships to. I do a lot of that means that I was leaving Lagos. to build the ministry. It means that I was not going What are some of your roles in to do some of the construction the ministry that has led to the work and some of the things I growth of the church in reaching was doing, even if I still run my out to so many people all around business in a skeleton manner. the world? So, I still remember on my wedding day, a friend walked up To start with, as a wife, that is to me and said: “what a waste? very important, men are not like So you mean you will leave women. A man can only function these for something that you when he is at peace with himself; don’t even know. I mean this is and it is the peace that a woman a complete waste?” I have had a gives a man at home that can lot of opportunities in my life. So enable him to think out whatever it was a rude shock in my life. vision that God has given to him. So I think, to a large extent, Finally I got to Warri. It wasn’t a I have tried my best to be very joke. It was a complete different submissive and ensure peace at world entirely. I got to church. home. That’s number one and The church wasn’t as built as it very important. The importance of is now. It was a flair floor, sand, and Saturdays we will wet it so When you look at this structure, women being able as to be able to have a service I also participated knowing to work as well as against Sundays, and then that my background is also into women with their rollers on. I construction. I had to work with raise children left an mean it was a complete dark some of our people. I had to indelible impression on world for me. I mean at some work with some of our engineers. point I said: “What have I done There would be time when I me God to deserve this?” But I knew had to send some of my staff in I was a woman on a mission Lagos to help with the pricing

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There has been an ongoing I read somewhere where you debate on the assertion that said that one of the problems religion has a role to play in we have in this country is national development. The communication. Can you shed continent of Africa is facing great more light on this? emergence of underdevelopment and Nigeria is not left out as Alright, that’s fine. Yes. I think evident in her educational, social one of the challenges we have is and economic deterioration. that we lack that grace to be able What are your thoughts on this, to dialogue with one another. I and do you think the Church don’t know what is going on in is doing enough today to help your life right now, even though address some of the prevalent we are talking. You might have challenges in the country? some perceptions about me and maybe, I also do. Sometimes Let’s put it this way, when you it can be offensive, but if we talk about decadence, whether can reduce it to dialogue, it it is financial situation that is all will go a long way, because my over the world anyway, though perception of you may be wrong very prevalent in Africa and and your perception of me precisely in Nigeria. I think the may also be wrong, and that is church community has done why communication is very key quite a lot. whether at the marital level, as a So, church has done a lot for the nation, or in church. Look at what economy of this country, for the Let me take you back to over 20 is happening in Nigeria now, peace, meaningful peace that we years ago in Warri, the condition communication is key. We need enjoy now; not to mention the of this place was so bad. We had to be able to sit down as a family, aspect of literarily participating inter-tribal wars. It was horrible; a nation is a family. Take for in the lives of people. companies were practically instance; I want to do business, leaving at that time. But my this is the business that I do, but I just mentioned a while ago, that husband took a role that is very how do I make sure that your some children, indigent students, endearing. When others were business does not affect my life over a thousand and I am being running away, he stood and he because that is what is going on modest have benefited from the was able to dialogue with some in Nigeria now. You want to do little we have to ensuring that a of the youths out there that your business, but I should not girl-child or a male-child actually had one problem or the other, lose my life in the process of you have an opportunity of becoming who felt they were marginalized doing your business, because what God has ordained them to and felt that they should be by the time you are through be here on earth. And of course, empowered. So, they took to killing all of us, then who is going we have a bank. It is incredible. arms and it was terrible, but he to patronize you. We need to You cannot take church out of did everything, he became an dialogue and compromise. We governance, because if you do advocate for peace. And through don’t need to force ourselves on so, be ready for anything else. our convention, from the women people. As a nation, let’s bring angle of the church, in fact that the warring parties together and was how we started our Trade see how we can resolve things Fair; we call it, International amicably. Trade Fair. So, in conjunction with our convention, we would We are here at the Eagle Hands have our Trade Fair along just to International Foundation. What see how we can use that to jump inspired you to set up this start businesses. At that time, it foundation? was really horrible here in Warri. The Church is a salt. The Bible In the city of Lagos, some years calls us the salt of the earth. back, the Lord stirred it up in Where you have a salt, you must my heart on the need for me to definitely have light. I have had We thank God for the start visiting orphanage homes. people say, has the light been opportunity of being of And there was a particular one, enough to completely light the not so far away from where darkness we see? Well, yes, to immense benefit to few, my office was, and I would go a large extent because if there because the poverty rate there every Thursday, buy some hasn’t been church participation things that they could eat; and in the governance of this country, in Nigeria is enormous once I showed up at the place I think by now maybe this the children will be all over me. I country would have been extinct. almost took in some of them but

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the poverty rate in Nigeria is We are here at the Eagle Flight enormous. People are practically Micro Finance Bank Limited. Let suffering. So when you look at me start by asking, what inspired that you see that it is a just a you to entrepreneurship? little drop in the ocean. This is my passion. This is my life. This To start with, I have always is what I love to do. And I thank been wired through service, God for putting me in such a providing services to people position to be able to help. and adding value. And of When you talk about course, if I have to trace my There are influential reports that life back to seeing my father, decadence, whether it is women often bear the brunt of an industrialist per excellence financial situation that is poverty and limited access to and a politician; I mean, in his economic opportunities, due to twenties, he started a school. all over the world anyway, unfavorable access to financing. When I look at my father then, though very prevalent in What are your thoughts on I was really motivated. I felt Africa and precisely in addressing and improving there was no room for laziness. women’s access to financing? And then I choose a lineup of Nigeria. I think the church business that I know is service community has done quite Access to finance for women oriented, to see how I can add is very important. Let me tell value to people. Weather, it is a lot. you, build up a woman and you having a microfinance bank like build up a nation. Because from this, where we can actually give that woman, she is an aunt to out micros loans to those out being single I was advised not someone, she is a mother to there who people wouldn’t have to. Then I married my husband. someone; she is a wife to a man considered. There was a day, this woman somewhere and so one. One came all the way from the United thing I have noticed about our There was a particularly woman States of America to minister Nigerian women is that they are who came to our head office to and after that meeting she said: very industrious people. They meet with me. I was just staring “God would want you to start are strong people. Even when at her from the hall. People an orphanage”. The moment you talk about farming, most of were questioning her. I heard she said this it resonated. That the farms are literally cultivated her going on and on saying was one thing God started by women. And yes, for me, I she doesn’t have any money with me for years. I have been just feel, creating microcredit but if people will just assists doing this. So, I went home and for these women to be able to her she would be happy. She told my husband and he said create a startup is something did not have N2000 to open yes and said he too has been that would feed them and the an account. I was so moved by doing something for the less extended family at large. And that. So I invited her over and by privileged in the neighborhood. this is the joy I have, empowering the time we had a conversation, So, that was how we started. women. This is the only way I discovered that she was a When you talk about the poor in we can actually create synergy woman who would do everything the society, we have the active in the economic system of this on earth to be successful if poor and those who just decide country. to be poor. The active poor are literarily looking for somebody to give them a lift and when they see the opportunity they will strike; while the others have decided to remain poor, even when you give them a push they will still remain poor.

There are media reports that you empowered over 100 women through the Eagle Hands International Foundation. Would you see yourself accomplished in that regards?

No. There is so much to be done though. We thank God for the opportunity of being of immense benefit to few, because

www.amazonswatchmagazine.com | 15 COVER STORY anyone will believe in her. Then, I currency. It flows. It is for those told her we will support her. Few who know how to manage it. If years later, she walked into my you don’t use it wisely it flows to office, and said: “Mama, I want somebody else that knows how to surprise. Just so you know, to manage it. few years ago, you took a risk on me, investing, but today, I can We are finally here at the Eagle literarily sign off N5o million. Heights International Schools. Kindly tell us the vision behind It is true empowerment. Now, she Education is not just the establishment of this school. has houses all over the place. So, I believe in service to people. about the four walls of You have just said it all. When being in a classroom. It you look at the decadence in the How involved are you in the is creating awareness. society, you will discover that running of the bank? our people have been extremely It is informing your disadvantaged over the years. I am the chairman of the Bank. mind. It is giving you But what we have tried to do I have a board. I have a due is to see how we can build a diligence in making sure that options in life. gap where we can be able to things are running well in all our achieve qualitative education establishments. A lot of people for our children. My husband have asked me how I have been and I sat down and talked about able to manage my time. And We have different products for it. He started with the vision I tell them it’s all about time women, for men and for civil and I took it up, and I started management. Over the years, I servants. We have those for this school. If you look at Eagle have learnt to prioritize. I know people who intend to have a Height International School, when I am supposed to be at house of their own but don’t the motto actually reflects the the bank; I know when I am have the money, we also support vision of what Word of Life supposed to be in the school. that. We do micro business and Bible Church is: “Building and I know when I am supposed we do macro business as well equipping people that build a to be a wife. I know when I am and that runs into hundreds of nation”. At the school, based on supposed to be a mother. And I millions. We give out loans to the curriculum, which is mostly also know when to have time for N500, 000, as little as N20, 000, British, part of Nigeria, and of myself. I have a husband who is a as little as N5, 000; and then, course, Cambridge curriculum great encouragement to me. we also give loans that run into as well, all garnished together hundreds of millions. to prepare a child for an all- At the Bank, do you have a round education. We do not also structure, a product that is There are some experts who just leave it there because we channeled towards supporting think that the TraderMoni actually have three domains of women? programme of the Federal learning. We have the psycho- Government of Nigeria needed motive aspect, which is the Yes, we do. We have a number to be structured in such a aspect one, getting them into of products. We have group way that women would have sports. Sometimes, we do inter- lending, which you don’t need accounts. house sports. collateral for. All you need is to have a group formation of 5 or 10 Yes, that is the truth. I earlier persons involved, perhaps in the on said something about active same line of business operation. poor. When you are dealing And then, you can come forward with poor people, when you and submit your application and give them money, they will go the bank would carry out its and buy tie. They will buy “to due diligence to be sure you are match”. They will squander the actually doing what you said you money. Such process will never are doing. Through that we have create liberation in the aspect tried to organize some training of finance sector. And also, you on savings culture and capacity have to have financial inclusion building. Sometimes, you may and the only way to do that is have so much money in your to create responsibility in the hands, but if you don’t know heart of people that you are how to manage it, it becomes intending to lend to. So we build a problem. And that is why you capacity. We train people to be have poverty mentality people financially literate. That alone are consumers; but rich minded brings liberation because you people are investors. have to re-orientate people on how to manage money. Money is

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We also have the cognitive With the rise of ICT on the I have been doing in The CEO’s aspect which is the aspect of continent and around the Company is to build structures personal knowledge to them. Globe, technological methods to teach them how they can And that’s why we have a robust have become indispensable in organize their organizations; how curriculum. And then, we have classroom teaching and learning. they can ensure sustainability; the affirmative aspect of learning How have you integrated ICT how they can ensure succession and that have to do with the into the learning process in the plan. It is not just to say someone emotional aspect. So you see school? is my son and then you just put that at Eagle Height International him on; if a child comes in, who School we have everything It is an integral part. We have an has not been grounded, does not tailored to ensure proper ICT lab. You will later go round know what it takes for dad and education for our children. and see all that. You know we mom to get to where they are, You know it is also a Christian encourage our children on the see a lot of money in the account school as well; so the moral need to be very active. We have that runs into billions and say: aspect is also factored in. The our website that also permits “oh my God!” and then the first whole aspect of this is to bridge them. In fact, very recently, wee, they start squandering. That that gap and offer our children we came up with e-library, to is our greatest challenge. So I the highest level of education allow our children to educate have devoted my energy to see that you can compare to what themselves on different journals to the building of organizations. is obtainable anywhere in the around the world; so that they When I went to Abuja, I ran into world. can learn what is happening, a young lady and she said: “Oh, not just in their immediate I watched The CEO’s Company, In Nigeria, women and girls environment, but around the the last one, I was hoping that it constitute 60 per cent of the world. If I could take you back, will not end; why did you stop?” illiterate population and their you will discover that the I said we have to work with time. literacy rate remains around So that gives me a lot of joy. I eight points lower than that of economic revolution that is very have a lot of mentees and I am their male counterpart. What much on a huge presence in the so glad to be a mentor. are your thoughts and efforts Western world started firstly with towards stepping up and industrialization. But now, they encouraging girl-child education are now into artificial intelligence. in the country? I want to believe that our country I think its education. It is still Nigeria will really drive that. I information. Letting people know think if we can invest a lot in IT, the importance. Traditionally, it this country will experience a is expected that if you train a landscape of economic growth girl-child for example, it is the that will actually endear us to the husband that she gets married entire world. to that will finally benefit from it. Traditionally, it wasn’t Young African leaders and encourages. But now, people innovate minds believe that are getting to understand that improving access to mentorship when you have a girl-child, in and incubators will help them fact it is the girl-child that will become successful business still remember that there is owners. As a successful daddy and mummy. Training the entrepreneur and business girl-child is the wise thing to do luminary, what is your take on and that is being propagated. this and what are some of the We have to change that. It is essential ways you provide reorientation. We have to get to mentorship for the youths of the grassroots. We need to go to Africa, particularly young African villages and get people to know women? the importance of education. Firstly, I started what I call, The Education is not just about CEO’s Company. And through the four walls of being in The CEO’s Company, I do not a classroom. It is creating even charge a dime. I train awareness. It is informing your them. I build capacity. I try to mind. It is giving you options in build structure. I look at what life. It is directing your choices is obtainable in developed and helping you to be able to countries around the world and realize your person; so that of course, what we have in Africa you can headlong confront the and Nigeria, some companies world at large and make yourself do not exist for more than fifty meaningful to the mankind. years. So what is lacking? What

www.amazonswatchmagazine.com | 17 18 | Amazons Watch | ISSUE 16 www.amazonswatchmagazine.com | 19 FASHION Make that Work Dress Code Work for You

- By Boma Benjy – Iwuoha

The famous British fashion The main objective for designer and couturier, establishing a formal dress Alexander McQueen once said, code in any organization is to “Fashion should be a form of enable employees to project escapism and not a form of the professional image that is in imprisonment.” If you have a job keeping with the needs of their It is indeed necessary for that already confi nes you to a clients. It is indeed necessary daily routine, and takes up more for employees to keep up an employees to keep up an than seventy fi ve percent of appearance of trusted business appearance of trusted your active hours, why imprison professionals, and as they serve yourself in drab clothes too? clients on a daily basis, a more business professionals, formal dress code is required. and as they serve clients I think McQueen was right; This often means that the on a daily basis, a more fashion is one place, where you wardrobe of a working woman, can always fi nd your freedom. will consist of several corporate formal dress code is outfi ts, but does this necessarily required. They say a picture tells a mean that the working thousand words, here is an woman would consist of drab illustration: unfl attering clothes? No! Oftentimes, I hear ladies say, “These are my work clothes, or I can’t possibly wear that to work, or No, it’s not allowed at my work”. And I wonder when they ever get to look smashing? Here is the thing; you can look smashing every day, making the work dress code work for you. The Cambridge Dictionary defi nes a dress code as an accepted way of dressing for a particular occasion or in a particular social group. In this context, a dress code refers to a set of standards that companies develop to help provide their employees with guidance about what is appropriate to wear to work. Many people have never really read through their organizations dressing policy, they just join in the existing norm at their workplace. Going with the prevailing norm at your work place could mean you are showing up in different shades of grey on a daily basis, or an atrocious shade of purple because that is the company’s brand colour. First things fi rst, pick up the dress code policy

20 | Amazons Watch | ISSUE 16 FASHION

Fashion is one place, where you can always find your freedom.

and read it. You will be surprised Now what you do with the above to find lines similar to this: is totally up to you. If you work at such a place, do not pick a • All employees must be particular colour and stick to clean and well-groomed. it. Play around a little. A lot of Grooming styles dictated by people have the impressions that religion and ethnicity aren’t bright colours look unserious or restricted. unprofessional and the result is they spend a fortune trying to • All clothes must be work- “professional” in boring colours. appropriate. Clothes that Trust me it is much harder to are typical in workouts and look good in dull colours. outdoor activities aren’t allowed. I have come across several ladies who purchase beautiful dresses • All clothes must project and accessories, then sit waiting professionalism. Clothes for the right time and place to that are too revealing or wear. Like I said earlier, the right inappropriate aren’t allowed. time is every day at work. You can make it work at work, it is an • All clothes must be clean and office, not a prison and if they in good shape. Discernible wanted you in uniforms, they will rips, tears or holes aren’t let you know. allowed. I have had to show many ladies And the more specific ones will what a dress code looks like for throw in a clause that sets out them to check out that of their company colours such as Green, organization, and guess what? Grey, Burgundy, Orange etc. None ever said wear “only grey

www.amazonswatchmagazine.com | 21 FASHION suits” all week round. And while has to be the dominant colour, you are able to fish out your you could have the orange as company’s dress code policy the dress and accessorize with let me share a few things you grey. Yes! orange can be work can do to spruce up your work friendly too. Create a niche, and clothes and stay on the fashion find something others are not radar. wearing, then wear it and make it yours. Accessorize! Accessorize!! and Accessorize!!! Be the odd one out. Chances are most people will go for the As long as it is not a uniform, comfortable colours, who says you are allowed to accessorize, you cannot be different? Trust you do not have to go overboard me, you do not have to join the with coral beads and pearls, a trend, trends are set by people little accessory here and there and you can create yours. can very well change the entire Choose those colours that no Create a niche, and look of a grey dress. And even one would touch and make it if you are only allowed to wear yours. I would always go for the find something others black, no one said you couldn’t odd colour and I look chic in it are not wearing, then throw on the red pumps. every day. wear it and make it Don’t forget; You are a yours. professional and not a robot. Apply the classics: Own your style even at work. The classics are those fashion items that every lady is expected to have, some of which include a scarf, a blazer, a white tee shirt, a pair of dark colour denim, white button-down shirt, and of course a little black dress. You can read the rest up. These items, most of which I guess you already have in your wardrobe, may not be work friendly when used on their own, but can definitely keep you on the fashion radar, when combined with your work clothes.

Finally, Experiment:

So, you were asked to stick to a particular set of colours, like many banks do, why look for the most comfortable? Be the odd one out. Chances are that when you are asked to wear dark colours, you are given specifics like grey, black and navy blue etc.; Well, as long as the policy does not say DO NOT EMBELLISH! you are allowed to accessorize. So, fish out that multicolor scarf hanging in your closet. And don’t forget, no one said anything about your shoes. Be daring sometimes and throw on the bright color cardigan, and no one ever said the grey

22 | Amazons Watch | ISSUE 16 FASHION

www.amazonswatchmagazine.com | 23 KIDS ZONE Tips to Creating a Fulfilling Homemade Summer for Working Moms and Kids

- By Kathleen F

The thought of summer feels During this season we have to like a heart attack for most fight hard against comparison working moms seeing the because it seems like all the pressure and compounded stress other families are having that comes with it. Summer is “magical summers.” There is just You may still only one of the hardest seasons for no way we are going to be able have limited time with a working mom. There is the to fulfill the summer bucket list childcare issue: trying to figure {even though we think all the your kids during the out what to do with these kids ideas are awesome}. We may not summer, but try to be for three months while we go be able to afford a vacation, let to work as usual, and once we alone get the time off work. as present as you can get it covered, it is often a huge during that time. increase in expenses. That is Remember that summer is a stressful, but the guilt can be break from school that is an worse. important part of childhood, but part of that is having plenty of time for unstructured play and imagination. Take the stress off yourself: you do not need to make sure they are scheduled with play dates and camps and activities each day. And if they spend most of their days in childcare, that is okay too! Most likely they will have a blast.

At the same time, family adventures and experiences are a good thing, and summer is usually more flexible. But for a working mom, it is harder to make happen. I have given this a lot of thought, and here are my best tips for having a fulfilling summer with young kids at home.

Identify Your Priorities

First of all, make sure you check with your kids to see what is most important for them. You

24 | Amazons Watch | ISSUE 16 KIDS ZONE may have a bunch of ideas of • Take social media apps going to the neighborhood pool what sounds fun to you, but off your phone just for the almost every single day. When what if your kid’s not interested? summer we were old enough, we were I suggest coming up with a • Schedule weekly media-free allowed to go on our own, but realistic list of things to do that family time, like game nights even if you have young kids you include tried and true stuff your or picnics can make this happen! All it takes family loves, and maybe some • Start a no-phone morning is a little prep and a routine, and new adventures. routine to get in the right then you can be ready to go mindset for when your kids within a few minutes. Here are Once you have your list, identify wake up some things that have helped the things that are highest • Try an app like Forest that me: priorities. Things that you would incentivizes you to leave be so disappointed to miss. Then your phone alone (I’m using • A designated pool bag with schedule them! If they are on it right now to write this extras of everything, stored the calendar/tickets bought/ post!) right by the back door. reservations made, you’ll be that • Pack snacks because much more likely to actually do Consider a Staycation something about swimming them. Anything else you get to makes you ravenous. squeeze in is bonus. If you do not have the funds, • Time it right. During the energy, or time to take an week I like to have a quick Be Mindful of Media Use extended vacation, a staycation early dinner, then take the could be the perfect choice for kids afterward. That way it is When it comes down to it, I do your family. In any town, there not so hot, they have eaten, not think it is the actual activities are bound to be plenty of places and the pool closes in an that you do that will create and activities you have not hour, so I do not have to be lasting memories, but the feeling explored. Check out this post for the bad guy telling them it is you get from being together some ideas of things to do, or time to go. as a family. You may still only what you and your family might • Get a good swimsuit have limited time with your kids need more is just some lazy days for yourself. This is an during the summer, but try to at home. Permission granted! investment! Choose one that be as present as you can during fits, will last, and you will feel that time. So while it is probably Become a Pool Mom great in. good to limit your kids’ screen • Laundry ASAP. Basically just strip everything off everyone time as well, here I am talking Part of what I remember best as you walk in the door. about YOU. Some ideas: about summers growing up is • A corollary to this is to invest in some good backyard toys. Then, on those nights when you do not feel like hitting up the pool, you can just open up the back door and let your kids go.

Choose a Summer Hobby

Lastly, make summer fun for you too – you as a person, not a mom! This could be a perfect time to pick up a new hobby. Teach yourself to grill – it is not just a man’s job. Tackle a summer reading list. Test and choose a signature drink. Invite people over. Take an online photography course. Plant a small garden. Create a summer memories scrapbook. There are so many options, and most of them don’t require a ton of time or money. Have fun with it!

www.amazonswatchmagazine.com | 25 WOMEN IN STEM STEM The World’s Offense Against Women

- By Eruke Ojuederie

Women constitute up to half of the world’s population, they are ready to be involved in developmental activities and should be put to good use.

structure upon which they were built, girls were groomed to be home keepers and in order to avoid distractions, they weren’t sent to school. At that time, the only medals a woman could get revolved around being Several years ago, we could say that there was a huge career gap responsible through marriage, between the genders all over the world. More women were involved being a good home keeper in caregiving roles, family functions, and specific jobs which were (which included the proper considered suitable for women (because of the deeply rooted feminine training of her girl children), and features, and ability to multi-task within somewhat stress-free subtleties) the act of submission as a wife. such as teaching, nursing, and catering. Women were regarded as the Short of these, she was limited in “weaker sex” as they were generally considered incapable of keeping up vision not because she couldn’t with roles that involved security, physical strength and might, and an all- dream big dreams, but rather around mental/emotional stability. because she didn’t even know what to dream about. Her society The men, on the other hand, were seen as protectors, leaders, and had made her short-sighted to builder who in most cases have things figured out. This notion was the possibilities of career paths. born out of a close study of natural occurrences over time and not particularly because a certain category of the individual was selected It was not the men that limited to be marginalized. A meta-analysis concluded that men prefer working her by relegating her to the with things and women prefer working with people. background and seizing choice jobs in exotic places. No! it was In the past in developing continents like Africa and Asia, customs cultural norms passed down and traditions dictated the roles of each member of the society. For from one generation to the next. instance, in rural African communities where communal living was the The custodians of these norms

26 | Amazons Watch | ISSUE 16 WOMEN IN STEM didn’t know any better. They point. During the war, demands The way forward saw a weaker sex and not the for more of what was often strength capable of causing called “scientific manpower” Despite the successes already socioeconomic development and a shortage of civilian male recorded regarding women across nations of the world. workers prompted government participation in STEM activities, and industry to start programs there is a lot of work to be done. An article by Rebecca Onion to train women in science and titled “Unclaimed Treasures of engineering. But when men Mentors: There is the need Science “, reveals that as far returned from the service, for a greater support and back as the Cold War, there women’s status in STEM fields encouragement from mentor were already women in STEM worsened. The GI Bill sent a flood figures. This will go a long way in in the developed countries. The of male students to American women’s decisions of whether or official government line during universities, and opportunities— not to continue pursuing a career the Cold War was: STEM careers both for women who had gotten in their discipline. for everyone! But as historians quick wartime training and Margaret Rossiter and Sevan for more established female This may be particularly true for Terzian have pointed out, that scientists—dried up. younger individuals who may push for science, technology, face many obstacles early in their engineering, and math Importance of having careers. Since these younger conflicted with gender norms women in STEM individuals often look to those and discriminatory institutional who are more established in their practices, resulting in a confusing It goes without saying that it discipline for help and guidance, set of mixed messages for has become a necessity to have the responsiveness and women and girls. A book by more women in the STEM fields helpfulness of potential mentors historian Laura Micheletti Puaca with the rush of digitalization are incredibly important. titled “Searching for Scientific consuming the world. The Cultural Exchange: Another Woman power: Technocratic coming years will see massive way to spike up the number Feminism and the Politics of changes in all sectors of the of women in STEM is through National Security, 1940-1980 economy and nations of the Cultural exchanges. buttresses this point. Puaca world need to be prepared for wrote about female scientists, this surge. Women constitute It is true that some tribes and engineers, and educators who up to half of the world’s races have cultural barriers used innovative tactics to help population, they are ready to which may affect their decisions; women succeed in STEM, long be involved in developmental cultural exchange programmes before second-wave feminism activities and should be put to should be incorporated in those in the late 1960s and the 1970s good use. In addition, STEM- systems to enlighten such made issues of employment related organizations and communities on the benefits of equity and stereotyping part of groups must be commended having women who are self- the national conversation. for their relentless efforts reliant. towards encouraging a greater According to the historian, World participation of women and girls War II gave women their starting in STEM fields and activities.

In the past in developing continents like Africa and Asia, customs and traditions dictated the roles of each member of the society.

www.amazonswatchmagazine.com | 27 LISTING Top 25 Banks Supporting Women in Developing Nations

Turning Promises into Action for 2030 Agenda of the SDGs

A 2015 report by McKinsey Global Institute states that by 2025, $12 trillion, could be added to global GDP by advancing women’s equality. Indeed, it cannot be over emphasized that investing in women is central to sustainable development.

This edition of Amazons Watch magazine has included a listing of Top 25 Banks Supporting Women in Developing Nations, to highlight the activities of banks across developing nations, that have prioritized women’s advancement in the economic spectrum, and to showcase their contributions to the socio-economic development of women, through various programs and initiatives.

Therefore, the listed banks were selected due to their contributions through development trainings and literacy programs for women, gender diversity in corporate boards, women friendly loan programs and policies, business fi nancing, developmental support and capacity building, gender equity in the workplace, and for creating an enabling environment for women employees in their respective host communities. In 2014, a report by the International Finance Corporation – IFC stated that Women often bear the brunt of poverty, and often have limited access to economic opportunities, due to unfavourable access to fi nancing; these fi nancial institutions have taken steps towards advancing women’s socio-economic status through various enabling programs and initiatives, geared towards tackling the challenges faced by women due to lack of access to fi nance.

In a time when people are more aware than ever of workplace gender inequality, and the negative impact it can have in workplaces, these banks have consistently committed to turning promises into action as world strives towards the Gender equality as captured in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.

Here is Amazons Watch Top 25 Banks Supporting Women in Developing Nations – 2019.

28 | Amazons Watch | ISSUE 16 Access Bank Nigeria Programs W – Initiative, W Academy ‘W’ Power Loan

Canara Bank – India Programs CED for Women Business Guidance/Emerging Entrepreneurial Eco Bank Limited Opportunities Programs Training facilities & Financial Assistance for Ecobank Female Entrepreneurs Initiative Women Entrepreneurs Gender Diversity in Corporate Leadership

Top 25 Banks Supporting Women in Developing Nations

Kotak Mahindra Bank – India FirstRand Group Programs Programs Kotak Mahindra Bank Silk Programme Gender Diversity in Corporate Leadership Gender Equity in The Workplace Athena Initiative - RMB Enabling Environment for Women Employees

Zenith Bank Programs Zenith National Female Basketball League Scholarship and Education Programs TRAIL BLAZER

30 | Amazons Watch | ISSUE 16 AMAZONPRENEUR The Motivating Story of a Skilled Entrepreneur

- By Miracle Nwankwo

It was a day like every other Not only was she subjected to was filled with opportunities of day in India but a day to be living in a slum, after six months earning. She moved to Mumbai much remembered in the life of of being married into the family and settled there with her uncle. Kalpana Saroj, India’s “Slumdog she began to suffer constant She started out, working in a millionaire”, when her father physical abuse from her husband garment factory and after some came to her rescue. and his family. Saroj was beaten months, she began stitching by her husband on so many on the side which brought an Saroj was a child bride, married occasions even for trivial issues added income of Rs 100. Within off at the tender age of twelve like not putting enough salt in two years she had saved up a and eventually found herself to his food. She was shut out from reasonable amount of money be a victim of abuse. associating with people and was that could afford a small house in also restricted from maintain any Kalyan East and she moved her She was born in a little contact with her family. family to Mumbai. village called Roperkheda in Maharashtra, 1958, to a lower But a day came when Saroj’s However, a sad situation befell middle-class Buddhist family. father decided to pay his the family. That year, they lost Saroj’s father was a police daughter and in-laws a surprise her sister who was seventeen constable in another village visit. However, instead of years old due to lack of medical called Repatkhed in Akola. She surprising them, he turned out care. The pain and agony of the lived with her parents and four to be the surprised one when dead prompted Saroj to engage siblings, which consist of two he came face-to-face with his further in her pursuit. brothers and two sisters. little daughter and could not recognise her as she had become In 1975, under the Mahatma Life was meaningful to the very pale and unrecognisable. He Jyotiba Phule Scheme - a beautiful young girl, until she immediately took his daughter government scheme for was given to marriage after and returned home. scheduled caste people, Saroj completing class seven. Having received a loan of Rs 50,000 being married off, she moved That day marked the beginning and started a tailoring business to Mumbai to live in Thane’s of a new dawn but not the end in Kalyan alongside a re-sales Ulhasnagar slum, with her to Saroj’s struggles. furniture venture. The business husband’s family who occupied a grew successfully and she 10x5 ft room with 12 to 15 people After moving back home, she handed the furniture business living under the same roof. was ostracized by the village to her father while her younger people, who began to taunt sister took over the tailoring her and her family about her business. return. She faced mockery and bully in school from friends and other students living in the same community. Tired of being mocked and ostracized, she decided to take her life, but she was rushed to the government hospital, when she consumed three bottles of rat poison. Success is walking from Saroj recovered and swore to failure to failure with make a meaning out of her life. no loss of enthusiasm She begged her family to allow her move to Mumbai in 1972, convincing them that Mumbai

www.amazonswatchmagazine.com | 31 AMAZONPRENEUR     In 1978, Saroj started an located in Kurla. Over the years, Creations Film Production. association called Sushikshit Kamani Tubes had suffered Saroj has been recognised Berozgar Yuvak Sanghatana, to many losses and litigations.The on various platforms for her CENTRE FOR help the unemployed. Around company had been shut for hardwork and impact on the ECONOMIC AND 3,000 people joined her many years when, in 1987, the people, society and economy. LEADERSHIP association who were helped courts ordered the workers to One of such recognisions DEVELOPMENT with placements. run the company, but they had include; the Padma Shri award failed to do so successfully. for Trade and Industry in 2013. In 1980, Saroj remarried Samir She is happily married to SOUTH AMERICA Saroj and they had two children In 1999, the workers of the Shubhkaran and she currently a boy and a girl, but Samir company approached Saroj lives with her family in Mumbai. died in 1989 and she inherited asking her to take over the AFRICA her husband’s steel cupboard company and fi x the mess. Faced Her story clearly explains the manufacturing business. with a company with 3,500 wise saying of Winston Churchill MIDDLE EAST bosses, huge loan and 140 cases that: “Success is walking from She continued to thrive of litigation and two unions, failure to failure with no loss of successfully in business and in Saroj took up Kamani Tubes enthusiasm” ASIA WOMEN the entrepreneur world and a and began work immediately. It higher opportunity came to her was not an easy task all through in what looked like a blessing in the process of rebranding SUMMIT (SAMEAWS) disguised. In 1995, a man brought the company. Saroj formed a Saroj an offer to buy his land at a 10-member team, which included very cheap price claiming to be marketing people, fi nance DUBAI 2019 in urgent need of Rs 2.5 lakh, but people, bank directors, lawyers, she offered him only Rs 1 lakh and government consultants. She and he took it. After purchasing met with the then state fi nance the land, she realised that it was minister and all those who had under litigation and that was given loans to Kamani. Along the why he had sold it so cheap. line, the banks agreed to remove With no knowledge about land the penalties, interest, and also deals she was fortunate to meet 24 per cent from the principal the district collector who helped amount to help her revive the her to sort out the court issues company. After some time, the and in two years she got the loans were cleared which also permission to sell the land. involved Saroj selling one of her properties in Kalyan. She gave the land to a builder who built on it at his own cost She took over as Chairperson and she took 35 per cent of the of the company and in 2009 sale of the fi nished building and Kamani Tubes came out of SICA gave the builder 65 per cent. This (Sick Industrial Companies Act), THEME: opened her eye to the benefi ts in and in 2010 the company was real estate and she delved into it. restarted and the factory moved Developing Female to another location. There was Saroj continued to prosper in real an investment of about Rs 5 Transformational Leaders: estate business and she turned crore into the company by 2011, a A New Paradigm for Growing out to be a land litigation expert. profi t of Rs 3 crore was achieved. Although she encountered Kamani Tubes is now a profi table Emerging Economies. different challenges along company, with a profi t of Rs 5 the line which included death crore every year. threats. Saroj continued to venture into DATE: VENUE: After a period of time, the other businesses including fi lm property business had a turnover production. NOV. 22 Dubai - UAE of Rs 4 crore and she moved intosugar production after With over six hundred employees 2019 investing in a sugarcane factory. Saroj currently controls six companies; Kamani Tubes Her fame soon spread across Limited, Kamani Steel Re- and into the ears of the owner of Rolling Mills Pvt Ltd, Saikrupa Kamani Tubes, a manufacturing Sugar Factory Pvt Ltd, Kalpana company that supplies copper Builders & Developers, Kalpana tubes, rods, LED lights and more, Saroj & Associations, and the KS FOR PARTICIPATION AND SPONSORSHIP, PLEASE CONTACT

Centre for Economic and Leadership Development Tel: +44 7459 647093, C/O Amazons Watch Magazine +234 8061197781 Portsmouth Technopole, Kingston Crescent Email: [email protected], [email protected] Portsmouth, PO2 8FA Website: www.celdng.org; www.amazonswatchmagazine.com United Kingdom. 32 | Amazons Watch | ISSUE 16    

CENTRE FOR ECONOMIC AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT SOUTH AMERICA AFRICA MIDDLE EAST ASIA WOMEN SUMMIT (SAMEAWS) DUBAI 2019

THEME: Developing Female Transformational Leaders: A New Paradigm for Growing Emerging Economies.

DATE: VENUE: NOV. 22 Dubai - UAE 2019

FOR PARTICIPATION AND SPONSORSHIP, PLEASE CONTACT

Centre for Economic and Leadership Development Tel: +44 7459 647093, C/O Amazons Watch Magazine +234 8061197781 Portsmouth Technopole, Kingston Crescent Email: [email protected], [email protected] Portsmouth, PO2 8FA Website: www.celdng.org; www.amazonswatchmagazine.com United Kingdom. BUSINESS CLINIQUE The Woman in Business Can Succeed Despite the Odds

Highly successful business women are those who have intelligently figured out ways to consistently run the day in their business, thereby leaving nothing to chance. Nevertheless, this does not in any way indicate that these “highly successful business women” do not often face challenges in their businesses but what ultimately stands them out is the determination to always navigate through the endless issues they encounter while navigating through the top of their business career.

While it is true that all business owners face certain challenges, women have additional and unique obstacles to overcome in business. Working women who have children experience even more demands on their time, energy, and resources. Despite these odds, statistics show that women are starting businesses at more than twice the rate of male-majority-owned businesses. The growing success rate of women entrepreneurs shows that they are resourceful and able to succeed, despite the odds. Women business owners may face challenges in three major areas that are less common to men in the business. These areas include:

Gender Discrimination and Stereotyping

Gender discrimination is a civil rights violation covered by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It can involve pay disparities—when women are paid less than men for performing essentially the same

34 | Amazons Watch | ISSUE 16 BUSINESS CLINIQUE job—or demotion or lack of in heavy construction. A women’s advancement due to taking time pay gap remains in place to this off for family or childbirth-related day, many businesses may avoid purposes. The term gender hiring women of childbearing discrimination applies whenever age simply because they don’t anyone is treated differently in want to have to grapple with the course of employment due to issues of maternity leave and his or her gender. wondering if somebody will even come back to work after having Although not a federal offense a child. in and of itself, stereotyping falls under the umbrella of gender Can Women Overcome Business discrimination. It may come Challenges? This may be the into play when a woman is not lingering question on your mind, thought to be “strong enough” but do not despair, though. to do a job that entails physical Women often have life skills and labor or “tough enough” to natural abilities that are useful in manage a high-stakes career business. They tend to be great position that involves a lot at networking, and they possess of challenges. Some jobs are inherent skills for negotiating. still seen as “for men” or “for They own the ability to multitask. women,” even though those Single mothers are often good at artificial barriers have been delegating and budgeting, skills proven wrong time and again. that they rely on to manage their families. Dual Career-Family Pressures Specific strategies to help women entrepreneurs and Although the Pew Research employees succeed include: Center found in 2014 that more and more dads were opting to 1. Creating a strong support stay home and care for their network. families, they are still vastly 2. Considering certifying as a outnumbered by women in this women-owned business. area. And it’s still a common 3. Learning new ways to perception that mothers at home balance work and life. are what’s best for the kids. Pew 4. Staying current on issues also found that almost half of all that present challenges for respondents—47 percent—felt women in business, and learn that mothers should not work how other women overcome more than part-time, and another their own obstacles in the 33 percent felt that they should business world. not be working at all but should 5. Don’t accept that you’re the stay home to care for their underdog - because you’re children. The sociologist Arlie not. Remind yourself that Hochschild referred to these many men would most likely work-life demands as coming collapse if they had to do all home to the “second shift” of you do on a daily basis. work to take care of children and domestic life. The responsibilities attached to women in our contemporary society should never account Lack of Equal for the reason why they Opportunities in Certain should become poor business Industries people rather every business woman must consider these Women often have Lack of equal opportunity ties responsibilities as one of life skills and natural in with stereotyping, which the greatest advantage, that ultimately leads to gender distinguishes them as excellent abilities that are useful in discrimination. Women are business women. business. They tend to be paid less and offered fewer great at networking, and opportunities in some business https://www.thebalancecareers. sectors, and sometimes doors com/overcoming- they possess inherent skills are closed to them entirely challenges-facing-women-in- for negotiating. because of their gender, such as business-3514899

www.amazonswatchmagazine.com | 35 GOVERNANCE IN HEELS Late Governor Joyce Laboso’s Last Words to Female Leaders

Kenya’s 2017 General Election, and late Dr Joyce Laboso, despite being the second after were not considered political the promulgation of the new heavyweights. They were only Constitution, ushered in a mastering the ropes of politics number of firsts in the political at the very top with the win People will relate more arena. It was the first time that a being Waiguru’s first attempt at with women leaders and presidential election results had politics and Laboso starting on a been annulled. It was also during new path having only come into they are able to share a this election that Kenya got its politics as her sister’s successor. lot of things that they first set of female governors. Dr Laboso, who recently would ordinarily not Apart from Charity Ngilu who passed on has always been even think of sharing had won the Kitui gubernatorial at the forefront of Kenya’s with a man. race, the other two female power ground championing for governors, Anne Waiguru empowerment and encouraging

36 | Amazons Watch | ISSUE 16 GOVERNANCE IN HEELS women to set out and achieve Talking about her election their goals. As a pioneer female win, Laboso did not shy from governor, she highlighted a admitting that a number of number of challenges that comes people took her to be a joker with the role including minding and thought she was not serious ‘the length of your skirt.’ about her decision to run against one of the political bigwigs in Delivering on expectations the region who was also the incumbent Bomet Governor, Hon Isaac Ruto. She had to stand her With the first crop of governors ground and do what she believed in Kenya all being male, the in despite all the belittling. entrance of the three female governors meant that they were Being a politician comes with a the new kids on the block and number of responsibilities and all attention was drifted to them. one of them is being strong They automatically became the enough to counter those who litmus test for what women could want to bring you down. As the do and how well leaders perform. late governor would note, one On top of that, as women amasses more distractors as leaders, they are tasked with they climb up the political arena. managing public expectations on In her case, noted that she got a daily basis. herself more distractors as a governor compared to those “People will relate more with during her tenure as the national women leaders and they are assembly Deputy Speaker and as able to share a lot of things that Member of Parliament for Sotik. they would ordinarily not even “It is not about being a woman. think of sharing with a man. I am selling myself as a leader. The feeling of motherliness What is it that a leader does?” and the feeling that she will She challenged. understand drives the public to us. At the end of the day, this can be daunting as everybody Word for women leaders is having expectations of the things you should be able to do According to Laboso, women’s for them, and that you should greatest undoing is their aversion be able to understand because to public scrutiny. She urges you are a woman, a mother.” Dr that women need to develop a As a female leader, Laboso had explained during an thick skin and get over the fear interview. of being harassed, called names the duty of setting the in public and ridiculed. She right image rests on Tackling challenges head uses herself as an example and encourages women that “If I can your shoulder and on be a governor today, then a lot of women can be.” She adds that this includes living a As a female leader, the duty of once you have set your target on life that sets the right setting the right image rests on something, set out to achieve it your shoulder and this includes and do not back off out of fear. precedent for the living a life that sets the right younger generation. precedent for the younger Source: Standard Media generation. For the female governors, it boils down to the manner in which they carry themselves around including how they dress. Being a county boss upcountry, Laboso said, she was moved to be conscious of her dressing at every one time. “In an upcountry setting, I have had to really be careful about the length of skirts and so on. You do not want people to focus on your dress rather than the content you are sharing.”

www.amazonswatchmagazine.com | 37 INTERVIEW

Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings

38 | Amazons Watch | ISSUE 16 GOVERNANCEINTERVIEW IN HEELS

A profile in Excellence

Mother of three daughters, Dr. Zanetor Her passion and political activism have seen Agyeman-Rawlings, is a passionate her organize various social and community environmental activist and a believer in intervention programmes targeting the holistic wellness in the empowerment of elderly in poor communities, food safety people on a personal, spiritual and socio- and sanitation sponsoring of youth training economic level. in ICT and animal husbandry and the encouragement of youth in responsible Currently member of Parliament in the leadership and sports. previously male-monopoly Klottey-Korle constituency, Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings is Her tall list of social intervention programmes a member of the Parliamentary Select include the development of a disaster early- Committee on Environment, Science warning Mobile App motivated by the tragic and Technology as well as the Standing events of June 3, 2015, when floods and an Committee on Gender. ensuing fire killed over 100 people in Accra.

Zanetor graduated as a medical doctor Zanetor is currently working on an urban from the Royal College of Surgeons in agriculture and plastic-waste-to-fuel project Ireland (RSCI) in 2003 and had ten years and a host of other developmental projects of working experience in General Practice for children, the youth, market women and the and Family Medicine before venturing into vulnerable in her constituency. politics. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Conflict, Peace and Security from the Kofi Annan International Peace-keeping and Training Centre (KAIPTC) and holds certificates in Defence Management and Conflict and Crises Management from the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College. She also holds a certificate in Women, Peace and Security from the London School of Economics and KAIPTC.

Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings is actively involved in political activism and motivational speaking and speaks regularly at both local, national and international platforms.

As a Parliamentarian she has participated in several international events including

• Serving as election observer in the June 2017 elections in the UK. • Deputy Head of the Commonwealth Election Observer Mission in Jersey in 2008 • Panelist and speaker at EWA conference in South Africa 2016 • EWA conference in Morocco in 2017 • Social Democratic. Conference in Belgium in 2018 • Westminster Foundation event in UK celebrating 100 years of women in the British Parliament 2018 • Westminster Foundation and Commonwealth Regional Youth Conference in Uganda 2019

www.amazonswatchmagazine.com | 39 First Bank of Nigeria – FBN Programs Virtual Community for Women FirstGem Product Gender Diversity in Corporate Leadership

Central Bank of Ecuador Bank of Industry Limited Programs Programs Loans for Female Victims of Violence Business Development Fund for Women Gender Equity In The Workplace (BUDFOW) Gender Diversity – Leadership BOI Fashion Fund

Top 25 Banks Supporting Women in Developing Nations

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ICICI Bank Limited – India Programs ICICI Bank's Women Empowerment initiative ICICI Bank Self Help Group – SHG Programme

GIRLS TALK

Is it time to leave home?

- By Kimmy Tom

I sometimes feel cramped in my You may begin to feel a desire • Improve status with friends family home. I feel my parents for independence long before • Help out a friend who needs and siblings will never respect you are ready to leave home. a room mate me enough because I am 21 and This is a normal desire and in line • Gain experience still living at home. with God’s purpose for children • Ease the financial burden on to someday leave home and have my parents Iveren –Nigeria their own families. None of the reasons given I am almost 19, and I hate it that I But how do you know when it’s above is necessarily bad. But ask have very little say about how my really time to leave home? yourself, what is my motive? life is run. The meal menu, the If your motive, for instance, is to lights out, even the way utilities Consider the following. escape restrictions, you are in for are managed. I am considering a shock! leaving home. What are my motives? Iveren eventually left home at Amita –India • Escape problems at home 20 and shared her experiences. • Gain more freedom She says ‘’ we all have to live with

42 | Amazons Watch | ISSUE 16 GIRLS TALK some restrictions of some sort. Am I Prepared? But you cannot stay at home When you are on your own, your forever, so you need to learn how work schedule or lack of finances Moving out to live on your own to budget money. Why not ask will restrict what you can do. can be likened to taking a hike in your parents how much it’s likely the wilderness. Will you trek into to cost each week for one person Amita who moved to another wild country without knowing to cover rent or mortgage, buy town for one year, says, ‘’I how to set up a tent, light a fire, food, run a car or pay for other enjoyed the experience but I cook a meal or read a map? means of transportation? Then often felt I had no free time! I Not likely. But this is what many have your parents help you learn had the normal chores I thought youths do when they move away how to budget your money and I was escaping from by leaving from home with few of the skills pay bills. homt to face, and this time necessary to run a household. without any assistance from Domestic Skills - Sally 17, says siblings. To help you determine whether what she fears most about you are ready to step out on your leaving home is having to do So, stop and think of your motive own, consider the following. her own washing. How do you for leaving home. Do not allow know if you are ready to care others to rush you into making Money Management - I’ve never for yourself? Try living for a this decision. Even if you had had to make my own payments week as if you were on your valid reasons for leaving home, on anything, says Margaret, 18. own. Eat only what you prepare you will need more than good I am afraid of leaving home and by yourself, that you buy for intentions. You surely will need having to budget my money. yourself at the store and that survival skills. you pay for with money you have earned. Wear clothes that you wash and iron, and do all your own housecleaning. And try to get where you need to go by yourself, with no one picking you up or dropping you off. Following these suggestions will give you valuable skills and increase your appreciation for the work your parents do.

When you are on your own, your work schedule or lack of finances will restrict what you can do.

www.amazonswatchmagazine.com | 43 GIRLS TALK

Social Skills - Do you get along well with your parents and siblings? If not, you might assume that life will be easier when you move with a friend. 8Most times, best friends fi nd out they cannot stand each other when they move in together. One can be neat, and the other messy, one might prefer living a quiet life and the other very noisy. It just doesn’t work, most times. So will you live at home forever because of this? Not necessarily. You have to fi nd a way around it. You can learn a lot about how to get along with people while living at home. Learn how to solve problems and make compromises. Those who leave home just to escape disagreement with their parents learn to run away from confl icts, and not resolve them.

Where am I headed?

Are you trying to leave home to get away from problems? Or break free from parental authority? If so you are focused on what you are leaving and where you’re headed. That approach can be likened to trying to drive with your eyes fi xed on the rearview mirror. You are so preoccupied with what you are moving away from that you’re blind to what is ahead. So rather than concentrate on moving away from home, have your eyes fi xed on a worthwhile goal.

Young adults will always leave and move away from home for different reasons. Whatever your reason is, think it through thoroughly. Listen to your parents or guidance advice about the matter, talk to an older person you look up to.

Then your fi nal question should be ‘’am I ready to manage my own household?

Good luck with moving.

HEALTH Negativity Aids Cancer Growth!

Have you felt hurt or betrayed? Why Forgiveness? Have you ever been so bitter and upset towards a situation It is obviously not an easy or person that you could not thing to do. Clinicians will imagine forgiving them? You undoubtedly tell you if your may have even replayed the wounds are deep and traumas event(s) over and over in your many you will need more head. With each repetition, your time to heal. Nonetheless, feelings intensify and you feel forgiveness is possible and I worse about yourself and it. believe necessary. Let me tell There is evidence to prove that you why? harboring these emotions can negatively impact your health. Over 15 years ago there Thus the subject of forgiveness lacked any research on the surfaces to the top of this article. benefi ts of forgiveness for our health. Thankfully to Forgiveness from a clinical date, there are hundreds perspective is the process of of scientifi c papers and relinquishing one’s feeling of clinicians ready to share their resentment and thoughts of knowledge with us. vengeance. Forgiveness also includes the process of fostering The Negative Effects of compassion, generosity, and even love towards those who Anger have infl icted pain. Let us start with the impact of staying angry, being frustrated or feeling negative about an event. Dr. Steven Standiford, chief of surgery at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, says that holding onto these negative emotions creates a chronic state of anxiety.

This produces a predictable excess of adrenaline and Forgiveness helps in cortisol, which deplete the after taking a course in self- production of natural killer cells. cases of severe emotional forgiveness. The course taught These cells are your protection techniques such as refl ection, abuse. Women in the against cancer. If you refuse to expressive writing etc. forgiveness group had forgive it not only makes you sick but can keep you that way. signifi cant improvements As expected, the patients that took the course had statistically in depression scores, self- Since we are on the topic of signifi cant higher scores for cancer, a neat randomized esteem and better overall self-forgiveness, acceptance, controlled trial with over 83 self-improvement, and lower mastery of their life. cancer patients evaluated pessimism scores compared to feelings of forgiveness, the control group. pessimism, and self-acceptance

46 | Amazons Watch | ISSUE 16 INTERVIEW

Forgiveness Helps You • Your blood pressure Feel Better About Yourself increases • Your muscles tighten If you think of an old memory • You start to swell of being mistreated, hurt, or offended you automatically start These are all signs of stress and to feel unwell. The fact is that anxiety. Recent studies show there are immediate emotional that participants who practice and/or physiological responses empathy and forgiveness to that occur when you are those who do them wrong having these memories. These have a lowered stress response. responses include: To further deepen this point, roughly 1,500 Americans who

www.amazonswatchmagazine.com | 47 HEALTH forgave reported greater satisfaction with their lives, less distress symptoms, less nervousness, and less sadness.

Forgiveness even helps in cases of severe emotional abuse. Women were placed into two treatment groups; the Forgiveness from a fi rst using techniques such as clinical perspective anger validation, assertiveness, interpersonal skill building, and is the process of the second using forgiveness. relinquishing one’s Women in the forgiveness group had signifi cant improvements feeling of resentment in depression scores, post- and thoughts of traumatic stress symptom, self- esteem, less anxiety, and better vengeance overall mastery of their life. Months later all these gains were still present! YAY! Forgiveness is powerful!

In order to distinguish between them, voters would have to evaluate them on their policies beyond their gender - says Mirya Holman, a political science professor at Tulane who studies the intersection of gender and elections.

48 | Amazons Watch | ISSUE 16

HER STORY Overcoming Bulimia My Story

- By Kimmy Tom

I started my love-hate help matters as they resorted to relationship with food at a very calling me that at the slightest tender age. I was about eight or provocation from me, as the nine at most and was preparing school had recently placed to get into secondary school. a sanction on teachers who punished their pupils by flogging. I had always been bigger than My only safe haven was home, my classmates –taller, fatter and maybe because my siblings were bulky. equally fat.

The State primary education I didn’t exactly have an easy time I had learnt that one board did not make life any dealing with my weight when I easier for me when they finally got into secondary school. could stop gaining introduced a literature book The teasing got worst and I was weight by not eating called ‘’The Fat Woman’’ to be determined to do something used in all elementary schools in about my weight. I wasn’t sure or throwing up after the state back then. of what I was going to do. eating, and that In one month my named had I got an idea from a dog. My started my long painful changed from that given at Aunt’s dog. journey with bulimia. birth to the ‘’fat woman’’. The teachers whom I thought would I had gone to spend the long come to my rescue did not even vacation with my Aunty Emma.

50 | Amazons Watch | ISSUE 16 HER STORY

She was a matured single, living add the weight as rapidly as I about food as it did about alone at the time and rumours did before, but stealthily, the control. I was dealing with a had it that her attraction to dogs number on the small bathroom lot of stress later on in school. was to fill the loneliness that scale kept increasing. I was I had the difficult career choice came with not having a husband in deep thought about why I to make, I had men who could and kids. She nurtured the dogs wasn’t losing weight when my father me hitting on me, (my like she would a child, bath them aunt called to tell my mum that size did not help matters in and spoon fed them. A special Nicky had been hospitalized this regard), and there was the vet came to the house every for complications related to domestic issue of dealing with other week to look at the dogs starvation. I then remembered. the chronic illness of a beloved and some of her friends will even Nicky threw up every time she sibling. There were lots of things jokingly say they wish they could was force fed and she still was in my life that I just wasn’t able be her dog. losing weight. I had found my to manage. I’d binge and get a missing link. Purge it all out after rush from eating so much food. Nicky was the oldest among her eating. And there began my Then I’d get an even bigger, dogs and was mother to almost journey with bulimia officially. better rush after getting rid of it all others. She was angry when The process seemed so easy. all. her puppies were sold off and I could eat whatever I wanted went on a protest fast. Maybe and however much I wanted, Not just weight control something else happened, and then just get rid of it with a because Nicky boycotted food simple flush of the toilet. My parents were very distracted for the rest of the year. She at this time. My brother’s ailment barely touched anything she was I was about 15 the first time I had taken its toll on them served and was getting leaner purged. I had just finished a and so it was easy for them by the day. My aunt resorted to whole pack of cereal combined to have missed my bulimia. force feeding her every day and with several cubes of sugar and Coincidentally, I had to leave Nicky will throw up everything a full tin of the much sweetened home for university about a few she was fed immediately she was condensed milk. A wave of months after I started purging let off the hook. Nicky stopped guilt immediately hit me and I and at my uncle’s house where I gaining weight and before I left, sneaked into the bathroom, put had to live in my first two years the once very fat dog was now a my hand deep into my throat in the university, it was easy to skinny bag of bones. and brought everything out go unnoticed. Nobody seemed into the bathroom sink. After I to notice my bulimia. Or if they I had learnt that one could stop had gotten rid of the offending did, they didn’t say anything. At gaining weight by not eating or calories, I felt lighter. I don’t just one point during my first year of throwing up after eating, and mean that in the physical sense university, I got down to just 115 that started my long painful of the word, either. pounds on my nearly 5’7 frame. journey with bulimia. You see, bulimia became a sort There were so many changes I began restricting my food of coping mechanism for me. that came along with moving intake immediately I got back It ended up not being so much away from home, attending from vacation. I will try to skip breakfast and barely ever touched my lunch. My stomach would roll and growl all day long. I remember being embarrassed if the classroom was quiet enough for others to hear the rumbling. Inevitably, I’d return home in the afternoon ravenous. I’d binge on whatever I could find. Cookies, candy, cake, garri, all kinds of snacks, my mum was a caterer by the way.

Full Blown Bulimia

My binging episodes got out of control. I was eating less and less during the day and would make up for it in the evening. This habit made very little difference on my weight even though I had been on it for years. I did not

www.amazonswatchmagazine.com | 51 HER STORY lectures and dealing with life wouldn’t really binge, either. I’d constipation, indigestion, mostly on my own for the first purge after eating normal-sized heartburn, tooth decay, irregular time. I was binging and purging meals and even snacks. periods and even depression. I daily. had a fair share of most of these I would go through good periods complications, but at this point My mum was alarmed when and bad periods. Sometimes I could not stop myself despite I returned home on the first weeks or even several months being afraid about what it was school holiday. She complained would go by when I’d barely doing to my body. I remember to my dad that my uncle’s wife purge at all. And then there’d blacking out upon standing quite must be starving me and that be other times — usually when often during my bad periods of being very introverted in nature; I had added stress, — when bulimia. Looking back, it seems I am not the type that will ask for bulimia would rear its ugly incredibly dangerous. food if I’m not offered. I felt sorry head. I remember purging after for my aunt who was nothing but breakfast on the day of my My then fiancé was the first to nice to me. convocation. I remember having notice and I eventually confided a very bad period of purging in him. He encouraged me to Sometimes I’d complete the during my compulsory National speak with a doctor, which I binge-purge cycle multiple Youth Service Corp. did, albeit briefly. My own path times a day. I remember going to recovery was long because on a field trip with some course Again, it was often about control, I tried doing much of it on my mates and desperately looking coping. A lot was going on in my own. It ended up being two steps for a bathroom after eating too life that I couldn’t control, but I forward, one step back. much cake. I remember being in could control this one aspect. the hotel room I shared with a I knew I had to take my recovery course mate, after eating a box Ten years, later process seriously when the of chocolates and waiting and complication of depression praying desperately for the girl The long term effects of bulimia became very serious. I was to step out so I could purge. I will aren’t completely known, but surviving on antidepressants run all the taps at once and make the ones known are frightening and had on two occasions being a lot of noise in the bathroom enough. Complications range hospitalized for episodes of to prevent her from hearing from cardiovascular diseases, depression. what was really going on down blood pressure abnormalities, there. It got to the point where I gastrointestinal distress, Recovery was a slow process for me, but I can confidently say I am free from bulimia now. Yes, I have gone back to being ‘’the fat woman’’ but I am a beautiful and healthy fat woman. The last time I purged was when I was 25. That’s 10 years of my life plagued with this draining eating disorder. The episodes were infrequent by then, and I had learned some skills to help me deal better with stress.

Your memory book should be filled with important moments in your life and not memories of your eating disorder.

52 | Amazons Watch | ISSUE 16 HER STORY

I now exercise regularly, and you get on your way to recovery. have discovered exercise lifts The steps to recovery is not all my moods and helps me work easy, you may feel embarrassed through things that are bothering at relapses, but do not give up me. I also have developed a love even when you fail every now for writing and cooking healthy and then. You may feel you can meals. I read my bible daily and recover on your own, but from the comfort contained therein experience, this is quite unlikely. is better experienced than Stay strong, seek help and imagined. cultivate healthy lifestyles. Admitting that you have a problem is The complications of bulimia Your memory book should be go beyond the physical. I can’t filled with important moments the first step and be get back the decade or so I in your life and not memories of determined to break the spent in the throes of bulimia. your eating disorder. During that time, my thoughts cycle. were consumed with binging and purging. So many important moments of my life are tainted with memories of purging. I wish I could turn back the hand of those times.

Don’t let the world rush you

The fashion, modeling and advertising industries have constantly made women feel they have to be a certain body type in order to be considered beautiful. Don’t let the world mold you to its standards. A wise man once said, “do not read beauty magazines, it would only make you feel ugly.” While it is good to maintain a healthy weight for a longer and healthier life, you can be beautiful no matter the number on your dress tag or result of the scale while standing on it.

Seek help

If you’re dealing with any eating disorder, please seek help urgently. You don’t have to wait. You can do it today. Don’t let yourself live with an eating disorder for another week, month, or year. Eating disorders like bulimia are often not just about losing weight. They also revolve around issues of control or negative thoughts, like having a poor self-image. Learning healthy coping mechanisms can help.

Admitting that you have a problem is the first step. Be determined to break the cycle. A trusted friend or doctor can help

www.amazonswatchmagazine.com | 53 IMPACT INSPIRE

is a firm believer of being a blessing to others. She once said, “if I can save a soul and make people happy, I feel super happy.” Alice Eduardo is not all glitz and glamour although she epitomizes these at Making Life every turn, however she also devotes her time to her advocacies. Count for Alice Eduardo feels that her success is God-given, so she shares its fruits to the people who need help the most. An extraordinary person with an Others exceptional opportunity, she said, “Every day, I count my blessings, and I try to make my blessings count.”

Alice Eduardo has several passion projects, one of the most important of which is the 320 sqm. pediatric ward at the Philippine General Hospital. This has been a passion project because her father, Andres, suffered from cancer as well.

54 | Amazons Watch | ISSUE 16 IMPACT INSPIRE

Called the Department of She speaks at GoNegosyo- Pediatrics-Hematology-Oncology sponsored summits and Isolation Ward, it caters to the conferences, sharing her young cancer patients. Building entrepreneurial journey with hope for these patients is a must, the aspiring Filipinas. She also and this is her goal. conducts mentoring sessions. Alice Eduardo is also a prime The ward is mainly for children mover for Habitat for Humanity with cancer from poor and since 2011 (PhP10M). She has also disadvantaged families – the donated an aggregate amount of poorest of the poor. These Php5M to Marawi survivors. people cannot afford expensive medicines and treatments. Her other philanthropic activities include; She saw the situation of the • Building 100 homes for kids by herself when visiting Yolanda victims (PhP10M) the illness-stricken child of • Building San Agustin Parish one of her employees in PGH. with parish hall in Jaen, Right there and then, she told Nueva Ecija (PhP80M) herself, “Charity cannot wait.” Compassion is the answer. Building two structures at Tuloy Foundation for its classrooms Paying it forward, many are and theater (PhP20M) inspired by her donations in PGH, spawning several other What’s good about this donations. Nevertheless, she construction magnate is she knows that this is not enough. doesn’t trumpet her charities.

Another equally important need is the relatives’ dormitory because some of the patients’ are from outside Metro Manila. Alice Eduardo’s hometown is Jaen, Nueva Ecija. And coming from a Catholic family, she knows the importance of valuing places of worship. Building the church is another passion project she dubbed as the “monument of thanksgiving.”

Alice Eduardo is one of GoNegosyo’s stalwart partners. GoNegosyo is a program under the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship. Local entrepreneurs are the target of the program.

if I can save a soul and make people happy, I feel super happy.

www.amazonswatchmagazine.com | 55 56 | Amazons Watch | ISSUE 16 Absa Group Limited Programs ABSA Woman Empowerment Fund Gender Diversity in Corporate Leadership

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FirstRets'elisitsoe Women Bank Adelaide Limited – Matlanyane Karachi, Pakistan Arab Bank - Jordan Central BankPrograms of Lesotho Program Business Finance and Loans Gender Diversity in Corporate Leadership Gender Diversity in Corporate Leadership Finance for Women owned Small & Medium Micro Finance for Women; Shelter Projects Enterprises Literacy programs for Women

Ahli United Bank B.S.C. (AUB) – Kuwait Programs Gender Diversity – Corporate Leadership Supports Women Tech Makers Kuwait Supports Bahrain Society for Women Development (BSWD) www.amazonswatchmagazine.com | 57 RELATIONSHIP Conversation Starters to Revive a Relationship

- By Dr. Nisha Khana

Effective communication is based on the way we talk and listen, how we respond as well as our body language.

emotional. It fosters closeness, love and affection between couples. It enhances trust and a In a relationship when Needs in the Relationship stronger sense of companionship communication starts to fade, between couples. everything else follows. In Discussing both personal and effective communication, there is the relationship needs is a must. Issues with an intimate life 65% role of non-verbal gestures These needs can be social, can create big gaps between and 35% role verbal gestures. physical, emotional, financial couples, whether it’s about lack Effective communication is etc. Sometimes there are a few of desire, interest or not getting based on the way we talk and needs of a partner which he/ what they desire for. A couple listen, how we respond as well she thinks about but does not should always talk about this as our body language. Open express which can make the and move forward to improve and honest communication couple grow apart. One person upon the parts where they are should be part of every healthy may lack on this area as some lacking individually. Many times relationship; it should be people are naturally reclusive. At when the couples do not have a practical, factual, concise, clear times, people do not know how great intimate life, they wander and persuasive. to communicate what they feel places to look for the same. This or how they feel. sometimes also leads to affairs After you’ve been with your and cheating. partner for a while, it can Expressing these needs could sometimes, feel like you’ve talked further strengthen the bond Compliment your Partner about everything, and thus have between the couple. nothing creative, interesting, Complementing your partner or important left to say. In such Intimacy often breaks the ice if there is a situation there is no need to tension and generally makes the panic, below mentioned are Intimacy is extremely important partner feel good. It helps boost a few conversation starters for a healthy relationship. Usually their confidence and self-esteem. that can help you revive your couples do not discuss about Complements are even more relationship. this topic. Intimacy does not only charming when it is unexpected. mean physical closeness but also Make sure that the compliment

58 | Amazons Watch | ISSUE 16 RELATIONSHIP is not always generic like about Discussions about Likes with each other but are unable their eyes , but rather highlight and dislikes to have a working or healthy something related to their relationship with family members personality. This will show that of our partner. Partners must Though most couples are aware you are concerned with more not only discuss their family and of their partner’s likes or dislikes, than just their looks. friends but also be pally with they rarely acknowledge them them. They should regularly meet and this can breed a feeling of each other’s loved ones. This Take a Walk Down the not being loved. For instance, can also contribute to a healthy Memory Lane your partner might love to eat social life which is extremely Italian food while you prefer important as it increases bonding Due to the lifestyle we lead in the Asian cuisine. Both partners and love between couples. modern world, we do not have should discuss all likes and time to sit back and talk about dislikes and be accommodating the positive things in our lives. of this when making decisions Solutions to Conflicts Talk about the happy memories as a couple. If they consider you had as a couple, reliving the likes of their partner and act Talk about how conflicts arise those happy moments always accordingly, the relationship will when there is a problem and lightens up the atmosphere. Talk become healthier. Both partners you need to resolve it. Conflict about the best dinner you had, should make sure that these is inevitable in any relationship, movies, vacation, reunions, etc. discussions should be positive but how couples communicate Just talk. and pleasant, not argumentative. during a conflict goes a long way towards determining whether the Plan a Vacation problem will be resolved or if it Hobbies will continue to fester and spoil the relationship. Sometimes all a couple is lacking Partners should discuss their in their relationship is quality hobbies with each other. These All kinds of problems have time. Most couples are so busy hobbies could be cooking, different kinds of ways to work with their own work that they watching movies, reading books, around them, problems that don’t give proper time to their listening to music, etc. They threaten the continuation of the partners or themselves. The should also ensure or make relationship, such as infidelity whole process of planning a efforts of performing these or lack of intimacy, need to be vacation brings the couple closer hobbies together. You can go for approached quite differently and increases the bonding. When a movie night, enjoy dinner with than minor problems like leaving on vacation, the couple gives your partner with a cuisine of a wet towel on the bed. Before each other undivided attention their choice, plan surprise dates you raise an issue with your and love which could help bring in your partners favorite spot and partner, consider carefully what back the missing spark in the just generally be spontaneous in it is that you’re really upset relationship. Some couples have the relationship. about. You can’t solve underlying trouble in their intimate lives intimacy issues if you fly off when they are busy with work, Family and Friends the handle each time your wife vacationing together can help a leaves the toothpaste cap open. lot in that aspect. Couples must discuss about Talking about issues and their respective families. Giving solutions to the issues, will help your partner a glimpse into your the relationship to continue background will generally help smoothly and last long. them to understand you better. Sometimes we are very good

Intimacy does not only mean physical closeness but also emotional. It fosters closeness, love and affection between couples.

www.amazonswatchmagazine.com | 59 RELATIONSHIP

Life Goals Division of Role partners lives, especially when traditions are involve, this well This is a long term discussion but Implementing a fl exible help the couple build a strong makes for a great conversation arrangement for men’s and union. starter and gives clarity to women’s roles in the household the relationship. These goals can contribute to the happiness Along with these conversation can be about their career, of the family members. The idea starters, for an effective and family , fi nancial priorities, is that both men and women positive outcome of the etc. Both partners will have have equal responsibilities in the conversations, there are a few different life goals, discussing household as well as earn money things you need to keep in them and accepting them is and to participate actively within mind like; be honest,Give your a very important step in the the community. This is one of the partner your full attention, relationship. Discussing them in a most common topics which a make yourself and your partner healthy manner can also prevent couple can argue about. comfortable in all ways, maintain disagreements in the future. eye contact with your partner Under this topic, could also Spiritual Roles while discussing, encourage your come talking about their goals partner to share their perception as a couple. Where they see this Strong religious and spiritual as well, don’t interrupt when they relationship going, what they are putting their point forward. expect the future to be, if they values are important. Both the individuals can have different see each other together after 10 If at any point during the years from now, and so on. spiritual beliefs, in this case the other person should be conversation, there is an intuition that the matter is taking a Self Image accepting and encouraging of the same. Individuals should negative turn, lower your tone or ask respectfully to continue the In this the couple can talk about, respect this difference. Apart discussions when you are both how they feel about themselves. from accepting, partners should calmer. The questions they can ask one also actively participate in their another are, how would they describe themselves, how do they think you see them, do they think they have trust issues or feel insecure about something, how important do they think self-care is, do they think they are self suffi cient, what are their strengths and weaknesses, in what aspects of their lives can they or want to improve and how do they want to work on those , what according to them is their self worth or value and several other similar questions. It is extremely important for your partner to know how you picture yourself in your mind. Financial Management

The areas of discussions and questions under this subject matter could be, Are they spenders or savers? What do they generally like to spend or save more on? Do they have budgets and if yes, then what are they for and how true are they too their budgets? Do they responsibly pay their bills on time ? Do they consider movies or vacations and other leisure activities a necessity or a luxury? Do they have debts they owe to people? What are their fi nancial goals?

60 | Amazons Watch | ISSUE 16 Gem FirstBank

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www.amazonswatchmagazine.com | 61 TRAIL BLAZER The Inventive & Trailblazing Career of Patricia Bath

- By Emekpo Charles

Patricia Era Bath, a prominent ophthalmologist, City with a B.S. in chemistry. Four years later, and innovative research and laser scientist, is the she received her medical degree from Howard first African American woman physician to receive University Medical School in Washington, D.C. a patent for a medical invention. She has four patents to her name and founded the non-profit American Institute for the She was born on November 4, 1942 in Harlem Prevention of Blindness in Washington, D.C. New York to Rupert Bath, a Trinidadian immigrant and the first black motorman in the New York Bath married and had a daughter, Erika in 1972. City subway system, and Gladys Rupert, a While motherhood became her priority, she also domestic worker. In 1959 while in high school at managed to complete a fellowship in corneal Charles Evans Hughes, she received a grant from transplantation and keratoprosthesis (replacing the National Science Foundation to attend the the human cornea with an artificial one). Summer Institute in Biomedical Science at Yeshiva University. There, she studied the relationship Patricia Era Bath’s dedication to a life in between stress, nutrition, and cancer. In 1964, medicine began in childhood. She was inspired Bath graduated from Hunter College in New York by Dr. Albert Schweitzer’s service to lepers in

62 | Amazons Watch | ISSUE 16 TRAIL BLAZER the Congo. The start of Bath’s She reached the conclusion that Bath joined the faculty of medical career has been one the high prevalence of blindness UCLA and Charles R. Drew that broke many racial and among blacks was due to lack University in 1974 as an gender grounds. From 1970 of access to ophthalmic care. assistant professor of surgery to 1973, she completed her As a result, she proposed a new (Drew) and ophthalmology training at New York University discipline, known as community (UCLA). The following year she School of Medicine as the first ophthalmology, which is became the first woman faculty African American resident in now operative worldwide. member in the Department ophthalmology. While a young Community ophthalmology of Ophthalmology at UCLA’s intern at Harlem Hospital and combines aspects of public Jules Stein Eye Institute. As Columbia University, Bath health, community medicine, and she notes, when she became noticed the contrast between clinical ophthalmology to offer the first woman faculty in the the eye clinic of Harlem where primary care to underserved department, she was offered an half of the patients were visually populations. Volunteers trained office “in the basement next to impaired or blind in Columbia, as eye workers visit senior the lab animals.” She refused where only a few patients centers and daycare programs the spot. “I didn’t say it was suffered from blindness. Because to test vision and screen for racist or sexist. I said it was of this, Bath conducted a study cataracts, glaucoma, and other inappropriate and succeeded in and found that blindness among threatening eye conditions. This getting acceptable office space. blacks was high compared to outreach has saved the sight I decided I was just going to do the white due to lack of proper of thousands whose problems my work.” By 1983 she was chair eye care facilities in black would have gone undiagnosed of the ophthalmology residency communities. In an attempt to and untreated. By identifying training program at Drew-UCLA, remedy this alarming problem, children who need eyeglasses, the first woman in the USA to she proposed a new worldwide the volunteers give these hold such position. system known as community children a better chance for ophthalmology in which success in school. Bath was Despite university policies trained eye care volunteers also instrumental in bringing extolling equality and visit senior centers and day ophthalmic surgical services to condemning discrimination, care programs to test the Harlem Hospital’s Eye Clinic, Professor Bath experienced vision and screen for cataracts, which did not perform eye numerous instances of sexism glaucoma, and other serious surgery in 1968. She persuaded and racism throughout her eye conditions. Through this her professors at Columbia to tenure at both UCLA and Drew. community outreach program, operate on blind patients for Determined that her research will underserved populations whose free, and she volunteered as an not be obstructed by the “glass eye conditions would have assistant surgeon. The first major ceilings,” she took her research gone untreated have a better eye operation at Harlem Hospital abroad to Europe. Free at last chance to prevent blindness. was performed in 1970 as a result from the toxic constraints of of her efforts. sexism and racism her research

Bath was also instrumental in bringing ophthalmic surgical services to Harlem Hospital’s Eye Clinic, which did not perform eye surgery in 1968

www.amazonswatchmagazine.com | 63 TRAIL BLAZER was accepted on its merits at the Laser Medical Center of Berlin, West Germany, the Rothschild Eye Institute of Paris, France, and the Loughborough Institute of Technology, England. At those institutions, she achieved her “personal best” in research and laser science, the fruits of which are evidenced by her laser patents on eye surgery.

Bath’s work and interests, however, have always gone beyond the confines of the university. In 1977, she and three other colleagues founded the American Institute for the Prevention of Blindness, an organization whose mission is to protect, preserve, and restore the gift of sight. The AIPB is based on the principle that eyesight is a basic human right and that primary eye care must be made available to all people, everywhere, regardless of their economic status. Much of the work of the AIPB is done through ophthalmic assistants, who are trained in programs at major universities. The institute supports global initiatives to provide newborn infants with protective anti-infection eye drops, to ensure that children who are malnourished receive vitamin A supplements essential for vision and to vaccinate children against diseases (such as measles) that can lead to blindness.

As director of AIPB, Bath has traveled widely. On these travels, she has performed surgery, taught new medical techniques, donated equipment, lectured, met with colleagues, and witnessed the disparity in health services available in industrial and developing countries.

64 | Amazons Watch | ISSUE 16 INTERVIEW

www.amazonswatchmagazine.com | 65 WOMEN AND SDGS An overview of Maternal Employment

For many women in Great Britain, the absence of choices concerning childcare poses a major problem in pursuing outside employment

Extent and Effects of Maternal Employment

During the past few decades the proportion of women in labor force has increased dramatically in all industrialized societies. In paid worker. A number of studies 1992). According to Moen, the United States, the married also show that women still bear the three types of mothers mothers’ employment rate more responsibility for childcare most likely to return to work increased from 39.7 percent than their male counterparts before their infants are a year in 1970 to 70.1 percent in 1999 (e.g., Hochschild 1989). Working old are the young mother (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, mothers, therefore, are engaged (a married mother under 2000). Among mothers of in a second shift of caring for age twenty-four with a high children aged six to seventeen, their children and families upon school education), the delayed 49.2 percent and 77.1 percent returning from their first shift childbearer (a mother with at were employed in 1970 and 1999, of paid work (Hochschild 1989). least some college education respectively. Among mothers Since mothers are more likely who postponed starting her with children under the age to prepare their children for day family until after age twenty- of six, their employment rate care and school in the morning four), and the unmarried mother doubled from 1970 (30.3%) to hours than fathers, working (a white high school graduate 1999 (61.8%). The increasing mothers, in reality, are engaged who already has two or more trend of maternal employment in three shifts combining family children and has been divorced is seen in other industrialized carework and paid work. or separated). It should be countries such as Japan and noted, however, that although Canada. An increase of labor-force the American public has participation among mothers shown more acceptance of the The above figures indicate that also suggests that being a employment of married women, the majority of mothers in the mother—even of an infant—is the employment of mothers with United States experience dual no longer a major deterrent to young children has not enjoyed roles of being a parent and a women’s employment (Moen the same level of endorsement

66 | Amazons Watch | ISSUE 16 WOMEN AND SDGS

(Moen 1992). This is largely between mothers and children due to beliefs that maternal were more common when the employment has harmful effects quality of alternative childcare on young children. was poor and unstable (NICHD Early Child Care Research A number of studies in the Network 1997). early 1990s explored the effects of maternal employment on The mothers’ struggle of child outcomes but yielded balancing work and family has An increase of labor- inconsistent results. Whereas also been reported in developing force participation some studies reported that regions (such as Latin America), maternal employment was post-socialist regions (such among mothers also a negative influence on as Russia), and industrialized suggests that being a children’s cognitive and social countries (such as Great Britain development, others found and Japan). Helen Safa (1992), mother—even of an enhanced cognitive outcomes for example, reports that despite infant—is no longer for children as a function of increased employment of early maternal employment married women in Puerto Rico a major deterrent to (Vandell and Ramanan 1992). and the Dominican Republic, women’s employment. Studies in late 1990s report housework and childcare are that neither early maternal still perceived as women’s employment status nor the responsibility, even when they timing and continuity of are making major contributions maternal employment were to the household economy. consistently related to a child’s Similarly, for many women in developmental outcome (Harvey Great Britain, the absence of 1999). A few significant findings choices concerning childcare reported that mothers’ working poses a major problem in more hours in the first three pursuing outside employment years was associated with (MacLennan 1992). Compared slightly lower vocabulary scores to these countries, mothers in up through age nine (Harvey Nordic countries have a less 1999). Among low-income stressful experience in balancing adolescent mothers, maternal motherhood and paid work due employment was also associated to the comprehensive maternity- with their children’s lower parental leave system in which verbal development (Luster et parents of children under the age al. 2000). However, maternal of one are financially supported employment during the first for childcare by governmental year of the child’s life is slightly policies (Haavio-Mannila and more beneficial for the children Kauppinen 1992). It should of single mothers, and early be noted, however, this does parental employment was related not mean that gender-based to more positive child outcomes discrimination in the larger for low-income families (Harvey social context does not exist in 1999). Nordic countries as evidenced by gender segregation in the Although these results suggest workplace. that maternal employment status has few negative effects on young children, other research in the 1990s reported some of the conditions under which maternal work makes a difference in family relations. For example, when mothers frequently engaged in shared activities with children such as reading books and telling stories, the potentially disruptive effects of changes in maternal employment status on children’s social and cognitive competence were mitigated. Additionally, less secure attachment relationships Source: family.jrank.org

www.amazonswatchmagazine.com | 67 WOMEN IN DIASPORA Elaine Lan Chao The Relevant Immigrant

Elaine Lan Chao continues to unleash her leadership potentials in the various political position of the Unit- ed States Government. She did not get up the ladder without a fight, she had her fair share of apartheid struggles, but with the help of her parents’, she was able to overcome and shine

68 | Amazons Watch | ISSUE 16 WOMEN IN DIASPORA

Elaine Chao was born in Taipei accustomed to writing in the Elaine did have her fair share of – Taiwan, the first and eldest language. achievements, during her days child of her parents among six at Harvard Business School, she daughters. She migrated to the Soon, she learned to speak was the first woman at Harvard United States with her mother and write in English with the to be elected class officer and and two sisters at age eight. help of her father who took out class marshal. She was an active Before the migration, Elaine’s his evenings teaching his little member of the finance club, the parents though Chinese lived daughter by patiently going back financial accounting club, the in Taiwan. The political turmoil, over each day’s lessons. international business club, and societal upheaval, foreign the transportation club. invasions and civil war in China Against all odds, the family grew at that time resulted in so into a united and loving family After her education, Elaine many hardships, instability, and and never lost their steadfast started her career in the banking uncertainty that caused many belief in the promise of America. industry, she rose to become to leave the country in search of James and Ruth were able to Vice President for syndications peace and safety. empower their girls to thrive in at Bank of America Capital the new country with the hope Markets Group in San Francisco, Her parents first met in Shanghai of a better future. Both parents California. She also served as during World War II In 1949, were an inspiration to their in international banker at the but got married in Taiwan, daughters, as they instilled in Citicorp in New York, before having relocated separately them the importance of family, joining the United States Public to the country. A few years faith, education, hard work, Service sector, where she has later, Elaine’s father received a self -discipline, self-sacrifice, served over twenty years. scholarship to further his studies self-reliance, determination, abroad. He left for the USA and service and contribution to their Elaine has served in various three years later his wife and community and Society. platforms and position right three daughters, Elaine, Jeanette, from the presidency of Ronald and May to America. Life did At age 19, Elaine was naturalized Reagan over America and to this not turn out so rosy, as the Chao as a U.S. citizen, and in 1975 present President Donald Trump family arrived America things she received a Bachelor of administration. became difficult, with no family Arts degree in Economics or friends, settling in became a from Mount Holyoke College in Despite the early struggles to challenging experience. Elaine South Hadley, Massachusetts, fit in, this woman of colour has was enrolled in Syosset High followed by an MBA degree from set the pace for other aspiring School in Syosset, New York, on Harvard Business School in 1979. women in diaspora. Long Island as a third-grader. The school was not fun as she could not communicate in English. She spent school days alone because she could not understand anything her teacher or the other students said. Having started off her early education in Chinese language, Elaine had been

Despite the early struggles to fit in, this woman of colour has set the pace for other aspiring women in diaspora.

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