Published in The Accountant - ICPAK Journal May-June 2016 edition
https://www.icpak.com/journal/
LADIES LEADERSHIP & ACCOUNTABILITY CONFERENCE 2016
Theme: Women as architects and champions of leadership and
accountability in Kenya
Date: 9th to 11th March, 2016
By Association of Women Accountants of Kenya (AWAK)
Venue: Sarova White Sands Beach Resort & Spa
Mombasa
There
is always a first time for everything! And this was a first for AWAK – to
organise the 1st Ladies Leadership & Accountability Conference
2016. AWAK is determined to make this event an annual event and with this start
the sky is indeed the limit
AWAK is the Association of
Women Accountants of Kenya- AWAK;a non-political and non-profit making
professional women accountants' organization – that was registered in 1994
under the Societies Act. Our vision is to be a globally recognized women
accountant's organization, and our mission is to build capacity among women
accountants to enable them access opportunities.Currently membership stands at
350 women and we aim to grow this to 2000 by end of 2019. AWAK is governed by a
Board that is elected from the membership and Secretariat that runs the day to
day affairs.
The
Conference was organised with the realisation that the 21st Century has had
significant focus on the gender agenda with governments across the globe
persistently placing a high priority on achieving gender equality and
empowering women and girls. Despite the focus, women continue to face enormous
challenges as they try to engage in leadership and accountability efforts in a
world where breakthrough technologies, demographic shifts and political
transformations have far-reaching societal and economic consequences.
One
of the key agendas of the Post 2015 UN sustainable development Goals is to
ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for
leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public
life. This is important especially because women possess distinct qualities
such as behavioural adaptability, intercultural competency; cultural, emotional
and social intelligence that endear them to be agents and architects of change.
As such they need to take up their rightful position and offer alternative
leadership that transcends the boarders of race, class, gender and nation and
lead Kenya to greater heights.
As
Kenya continues to take up this challenge and ensure the full implementation of
the two-thirds gender rule and other affirmative action measures, women need to
be prepared and be ready to take up the challenges. The country now more than
ever needed a people who will stand and show alternative form of leadership;
leadership that enhances accountability and societal values. This is thus the
essence of this conference; to prepare women to champion and foster leadership
and accountability in Kenya.
The
conference aimed to
a) Prepare the women as architects and champions of
leadership and accountability in Kenya by exploring the challenges,
experiences, visions and achievements that continue to shape women leadership
in the country and in the region.
b)
Explore the emerging trends in business and entrepreneurship and present
opportunities to women. The dynamics of technology and an ever changing global
market calls for; re-branding, re-engineering and perpetual re-orienting, hence
a total consolidation of all gains to suit the day.
Eighty-five (85) women from all over Kenya attended
the conference. They came from private and public sector, across all ages and
the sessions were energised, fun and inspiring.
The Governor of Mombasa County Hon
Ali Hassan Joho opened the conference – whose speech was read by CPA Ahmed
Farah his Economic Advisor. He welcomed the participants and wished them
fruitful deliberations, and thanked AWAK for choosing Mombasa County to host
the conference. CPA Jennifer Kamande Chairperson of AWAK then welcomes
participants to the inaugural conference.
Hon Justice Njoki Ndungu – Judge of
the Supreme Court of Kenya in sharing her experience about being an active
political party member & a nominated MP challenged professionals to
document stories about the gains made and the loops they have had to be crossed
so that the younger generation can learn from this experience. That the glass
ceiling is still there but much thinner than 50 years earlier and we have the
women to thank for that so we should acknowledge and appreciate their
contribution to the profession. AWAK members were also introduced to CPA
Charity Muya who was the first lady to become a certified Accountant in Kenya in April 1976
Cabinet Secretary Amb. Amina Mohamed (in
charge of Foreign affairs) in addressing the conference on the Visionary
Leader, encouraged participants that professionals need to make an impact in
their work. For instance in her ministry the ratio of women to men is 47/53 and
with time, the ministry will achieve 50/50. She said her biggest advantage in
being effective was that she rose within the system.
Madam Sarah Serem – Chair of the Salary and
Remunerations Commission (SRC) known for her firm approach to dealing with
issues – gave interesting insights on Growing Your Value. Her message was clear
– that one needs to be a person of unwavering principles since more often than
not, these principles will be brought to test and people need to know the kind
of professional they are dealing with.
Madam Susan Mudhune – a career banker
and member of several Boards including one time being Chair of Kenya Commercial
Bank shared her insights on women’s role in development and wealth creation.
Dr Bertha Kaimenyi a campaigner for
Balanced Living challenged the conference to always consider the very important
things in life before making professional choices – because ultimately, money
and fame are not as important as family. That 90% of our happiness comes from
our family, our health and our attitude and 10% from career – yet we spend more
time in developing career than in what gives us more happiness – food for
thought indeed!!
Other speakers touched on the issue
of mentorship and coaching and on the business opportunities available to women
from government. Participants were also given room to pitch & market the
businesses they run!
The conference was an excellent forum
to network with professionals from all over Kenya and this was crowned at a
dinner event where there was a memorable mix of good food and music!! The
conference ended with a visit to Tumaini Children’s home to inspire and share
some motherly love with the little ones! Their teacher challenged them that
even girls can understand mathematics (given all the lady accountants
present!!)
AWAK is very pleased to report that
the conference evaluation showed that participants thought the speakers were
excellent choices and indicated that their expectations were met! Indeed a
standard of excellence has been set - AWAK therefore can conclude that the
event was a resounding success and we look forward to more opportunities to
engage and grow together as professionals – just as our motto reads Uplifting Our World.
AWAK appreciates the women of
excellence who accepted our invite and graced the event as speakers to share
their invaluable experience for other women to tap into – united we stand! We
would also wish to express sincere gratitude to ICPAK, Manu Chandaria and
KASNEB for their support towards this conference.
Look out for the next conference in
2017!!
Compiled by CPA Hilda Mawanda, member of AWAK &
ICPAK; Financial ManagementSpecialist (non-profit sector)|www.awak.co.ke|@AWAK2016 | awak@awak.co.ke
