Brief summary of presentation of information made

The panel consisted of three main speakers, two responders and one researcher. The brief summary will be an overview of the speakers experience on this topic.

Opening: Build leadership to motivate young women, self-confidence and resilience, young women are collective, when young women lead- they center services, make change now so that in the future it is better for women.

Speaker Naomi Woyengu: She couldn’t afford to attend high school since both of her parents were unemployed, however, she still had a desire to learn. She would sneak into class to learn but got kicked out when the school wasn’t paid her school fee. A missionary paid for her classes which allowed her to take her exams. She was the only child in her family who could attend school and was the only sibling (out of 5) therefore that was encouraged to do well in school and learn for her sisters. Gave her an experience to relate to other women and girls who may have also experienced this as well. It is important that these types of conversations (experiences and stories) are shared and encouraged because it can bring confidence to girls.

Speaker Trinna Leong: Brother Eugene passed away 12 years ago from mitochondrial disease, but her brother taught her to “keep trying instead of complaining”. She thought ‘is there more to life than just getting a job, getting married and having kids?’ She moved out of 2 Malaysia to try something different and went to a prestigious school in USA. She was able to persevere and perceive beyond what she perceived her limitations were.

Responders:

• Any/All women’s leadership is interconnected.
• Movement of leaders coming together to bring change and make change.
• Leadership, compassion, kindness are vital.
• Intersectional and intergenerational approaches needed to address gender equity and gender equality 
• Imposter syndrome- self-improvement and to overlook the self-doubt, women from traditionally marginalized populations suffer from imposter syndrome

Findings: Qualities of Leadership: Courage, Service, Mission/Purpose, Compassion, Selfawareness and Grit

What was of particular significance to share with The Salvation Army globally?

Conversations and stories should be happening among women and girls, giving each person the opportunity to share their experiences and thoughts. Someone may have also experienced it or may in the future.

Conversations and stories are important. The findings are really interesting and should be looked over. The findings are from the stories of women who were asked. The second conferenced theme under the qualities of leadership was Courage. Self-confidence is important and should be addressed to help women and girls have it and/or grow it. This includes growing self-belief, overcoming self-doubt, and empowerment (with others and within oneself). Ways to move forward: storytelling, mentorship and evidence-based programming. “Leadership is the ability to motivate everyone else to work together”

“Leadership should be able to inspire others” “Leadership is seen everywhere, even at home. Inspire and teach others.”

Web links for more information

Recorded event on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/sgiouna/

Reporting findings on the interviews/stories of women and girls:https://sgi-ouna.org/

Downloadable pdf: : https://sgi-ouna.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Young-WomensLeadership-Research-Report-Print.pdf

Tags: SDG5: Gender Equality