As Tanzanian women joined their fellow women across the world to celebrate the International Women’s Day that is marked every 8th of March, different activities were organized as part of commemorating the event. The month of March is Women’s History Month as we celebrate and honor women all over the world.
One of the events was dubbed ‘Accelerate Women’s Executive Breakfast’ with the theme “Breaking Glass Ceilings” which brought together over 300 women, who had a golden opportunity of listening to several successful women from various businesses and companies.
The event was organized by Accelerate Business Group and the participants had the opportunity to network with other women from various backgrounds and occupations since the event brought together executives, business owners and leaders who are committed to enhancing the status of women in our societies.
Speaking with the Woman Magazine reporter, the Managing Director of Accelerate Business Group, Bernice Fernandes clarified that the event enabled women to network, express their opinions about women’s challenges, and gain knowledge from the experience of other executive women in leadership and in business.
“There were a lot of things that took place with the intention of empowering women to prosper in everything they do in their daily life, and were urging them to look past their previous challenges, meaning their past experience should not ruin their future but should be a means of pushing them towards success and financial freedom,” she said.
She says that it was a successful event because the more than 300 women who turned up for the event explored different challenges they encountered in their professional and personal lives and they were in turn equipped with skills of how to overcome them in future.
Bernice urged women to work together as a means of breaking down barriers and supporting one another in confronting difficulties, because if a woman succeeds it means the success will have a significant effect not only on their own lives but for the rest of the community.
Among influential women who turned up for the event was the Minister for Culture, Arts and Sports, Honorable Pindi Chana, who in her speech encouraged women to go for what they strive for by citing the example of Tanzania’s first female president, Mama Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan.
“My fellow women, you should understand that once you put your mind to anything, it is possible to achieve it and you must believe in what you are capable of and keep on until it is done” she added.
The event was also graced by the United States Ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Michael Battle, who said “Being a part of this prestigious event is an honor, being in the same room full of women who are role models for women’s empowerment is a wonderful honor, let me urge you to move forward and focus on what you want to do and move forward,” As the African Proverb states: “When you educate a woman, you educate an entire nation”.
On her part, the UN Women Country Representative, Hodan Addou explained how women can overcome barriers to success and how women can work collectively, while Ms Georgia Mutahgaywa, the Country Liaison Manager at Barrick Gold Corporation asked women not to conform to popular negative beliefs about women.
“Tell yourself to push and break that glass ceiling, of course, women are known for womanly roles, but today we need to show that we can do other things and we are able,” she said.
The Accelerate Women’s Development Program was officially launched by the new US Ambassador Dr. Michael Battle, together with UN Women’s Country Representative Hodan Addou.
Ambassador Dr. Michael Battle had the honor of giving his first public speech at the Accelerate Women’s Executive Breakfast. He was officiated as an Ambassador on February 27th in Dodoma after presenting his credentials to President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
The US Embassy also sponsored the event and had a booth for their Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) who showcased their products during the event. Accelerate is a consulting and training firm with MBA professionals committed to transforming the nation through education and impact.
The event was sponsored by the US Embassy, FSDT Tanzania, Minet Insurance, Premier Care, UTT Amis, UN Women, Barrick Gold Corporation, CRDB, PMM, Image Masters, Sign Express, Niya Beauty, African Star,, Hugo Domingo, Revolution Events, Johari Rotana, A1 Outdoor, Speedy.
