Phenomenal Women Global: Empowering Women Worldwide

Phenomenal Women Global (PWG), a dynamic and impactful non-profit organization based in Switzerland and Uganda, is on a mission to connect, advance, and empower women and girls globally. With focal points in Zimbabwe, South Africa, the USA, UK, Italy, and France, PWG casts a wide net to promote gender equality, support women’s personal and professional growth, develop leadership skills, and offer coaching and mentoring.

At the heart of PWG’s initiatives is a commitment to creating safe spaces where women and girls can discuss strategies to achieve Gender Equality (SDG5). The organization recognizes the multifaceted nature of gender inequality and strives to eliminate discrimination against women and gender-based violence. One of its primary goals is to emphasize leadership training and mentoring, especially for women from underserved communities, to enable their active participation in decisions that affect their lives on national and global levels. Our commitment to diversity has led us to be ranked as one of top three NGOs nominated for the Swiss Diversity Awards in 2023.

Origins of Phenomenal Women Global

The genesis of Phenomenal Women Global can be traced back to 2018 when a group of African women, hailing from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds, recognized the stark absence of gender and geographic representation within their organizations. This glaring lack of gender parity, both in corporate and international sectors, sparked informal discussions among these visionary women.

One of the co-founders, Liza Sekaggya, a human rights officer at the United Nations, drew inspiration from her participation in the UN EMERGE women leadership program. This program, tailored for emerging women leaders within the UN, offered valuable content, including inspirational stories shared by accomplished women leaders and substantive leadership aspects. It also featured coaching and mentoring, a component that had a profound impact on her.

This experience prompted deep reflection on the myriad challenges women face in their careers and the transformative power of women-to-women empowerment. Liza joined hands with other African and

European women, and in 2019, they formally established Phenomenal Women Global as a non-profit and non-governmental organization in Switzerland, PWG’s headquarters are situated in Geneva and Kampala, Uganda.

Global Impact through Collaborative Efforts

PWG’s model of a “socially conscious leader” emerged from the need to disseminate a leadership model that addresses genderspecific challenges, the unique qualities of women, and their perceived obligations as leaders.

Since its inception in 2018, PWG has made significant strides, thanks to the dedicated efforts of women volunteers committed to the cause. Several leadership conferences and speaker series have been organized in various locations, including Geneva, Switzerland; Boston, USA; Harare, Zimbabwe; Kampala, Uganda; and Johannesburg, South Africa. These events have served as platforms for women to come together, share insights, and inspire one another.

Key Activities

PWG’s initiatives are broad and impactful, encompassing the following key areas:

• Annual Global Leadership Conferences: PWG hosts annual conferences that bring together women from diverse backgrounds to discuss critical issues, share experiences, and inspire action. In September 2022‘ the theme was She Leads – Women thriving in Leadership, Careers, and Business post Covid-19.’ The keynote speaker was Dr. Athaliah Lesiba Molokomme, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Botswana to the United Nations. The conference included sessions on racism and diversity, Gender equality, entrepreneurship, and leadership among others. The conference also featured a panel session on navigating biases, racism, and discrimination, and discussed efforts taken by the Swiss government and Canton de Geneve to curb racism.

• Women’s Hub Speaker Series: These events provide a platform for women to share their stories and expertise, offering guidance and motivation to others.

• Mentorship: PWG believes in the power of mentorship to empower women in their personal and professional journeys.

• Diversity, Equality, and Inclusivity Programs: PWG actively supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 10 and 4 by running programs that promote diversity, equality, and inclusivity. We, along with Building Development Gaps, with the support of Canton de Genève, Bureau de integration des étrangers developed a documentary on Diversity and Inclusion in Geneva. The main objective of this documentary was to get a holistic understanding of issues in and around discrimination, diversity, and inclusion especially in high schools in Geneva and among young people. You may view the documentary on the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=n7z2mR8QrvM

• A Racism Panel titled “Navigating biases: Racism and discrimination” was a successful event organized in collaboration with Canton de Geneve, aiming to shed light on the challenges faced by women of color in Swiss society, with a particular focus on antiblack racism. The panel discussion resulted in a proposal for a new law to combat Anti-Black Racism in Canton Geneva, emphasizing the need for both the administration and the Afrodescendant community to take action in addressing internalized racism. The event emphasized the importance of open dialogue and proved to be a significant step in raising awareness and promoting meaningful discussions about racism and discrimination in Swiss society. Plans for a follow-up event in 2023 are in progress to further celebrate the decade of people of African descent and propose additional activities to combat ongoing racism and discrimination.

• Economic Empowerment: PWG recognizes the importance of economic independence for women and offers programs to support their financial growth. Entrepreneurship courses have been held online for members.

• Education programs: PWG conducts initiatives that provide educational support to the underprivileged. One of these initiatives in supporting the Nazareth’s Children Home in Uganda, providing its students’ fees for their education, and contributing to funding self-sustaining projects for food. A second initiative is support to the Katosi fishing community, that provided women entrepreneurial skills and economic empowerment, and informed children on their right to education.

• Internships and volunteer-ships: PWG strives to create internships and fellowships for all women and provides specific opportunities to students and young people from diverse backgrounds. We provide an avenue to gain work experience and also develop as a leader.

“Her Voice” Annual Leadership Conference 2023

This year, PWG is gearing up for its annual leadership conference, titled “Her Voice.” Scheduled for September 23, 2023, at the Marriot Hotel in Geneva, Switzerland. This conference aims to amplify and celebrate the power of women’s voices in shaping our world. In a society where women’s narratives, experiences, and contributions have often been marginalized, “Her Voice” provides a platform to acknowledge their achievements and address the challenges they face.

Key Themes of “Her Voice” Conference:

• Women Careers in the Current Climate: This theme explores the ever-evolving landscape of women’s professional journeys, addressing gender equality, career advancement, career changes, and the impact of technology. Through expert talks, skillbuilding workshops, and networking opportunities, this theme empowers women to navigate the dynamic workplace and foster inclusive environments.

• Women in Politics: This panel highlights the essential role women play in shaping political landscapes and driving social change. Elected female members of legislatures will share their personal experiences and discuss representation, policymaking, advocacy, and community leadership.

• Women in Literature: “Women in Literature” celebrates the profound contributions of women authors and characters to the literary world. It delves into the power of storytelling and the transformative impact of women’s narratives on society.

• Women in Challenging Circumstances: Climate Change, War: This panel acknowledges the significant challenges women face in the wake of climate change and conflict. It sheds light on the resilience, courage, and leadership of women who are at the forefront of addressing these critical issues.

In addition to thought-provoking panel discussions and keynote speeches, “Her Voice” offers a series of interactive workshops. The conference will also feature motivational speakers, musicians, and poets, contributing to the overall enriching experience.

In a world where gender inequality persists, “Her Voice” serves as a powerful call to action. It recognizes that women’s voices are not only diverse but also essential in effecting positive change. By providing a platform for women to share their experiences, insights, and ideas, PWG aims to empower them as catalysts for progress and transformation. The conference fosters an environment that promotes diversity, inclusivity, and collaboration, ultimately empowering participants to challenge societal norms and pave the way for a more equitable and inclusive future.

For more information about Phenomenal Women Global and the “Her Voice” conference, please visit https://www. phenomenalwomenglobal.com/index. php/6th-pwg-conference/ contact

Email: info@phenomenalwomenglobal.com

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