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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE END THANK YOU