On the 25th of March 2023, When Females Lead, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering and raising confident female leaders across the continent, held the Women in the Boardroom event at the Intercontinental Hotel in Lusaka. Under the theme “Thriving in the Boardroom,” the event brought together predominantly female established professionals, corporate leaders and aspiring young professionals. The purpose of the event was to raise funds for the construction of a maternity wing in Mwalukanga Village, a rural community in Zambia where access to quality healthcare is limited.
The event kicked off with the opening key note address by Dolika Banda who emphasized the importance of establishing one’s personal brand and defining one’s stay in power when given an opportunity to be part of a board. She shared her personal experiences and insights, providing valuable advice and inspiration to the audience. She also moderated the first panel discussion with Monica Musonda who is the Founder and CEO of Java Foods and Sonny Zulu who is CEO and Managing Director of Standard Chartered Bank Zambia.
Sonny Zulu stated the importance of bringing your authentic self to the boardroom and stressed the importance of discovering what you have on the inside of you and bringing it out with confidence. Monica Musonda advocated for a sector by sector approach to include more women on boards and more men to come on board and support the cause.
The second panel discussion was moderated by Komba Malukutila, Managing Director of MTN Fintech. The panel featured Lungisani Zulu, Law Association of Zambia President; Jito Kayumba, Presidential Adviser on Finance, Investment and Development; and Mulenga Kapwepwe, Patron of When Females Lead, published author, and founder of the Women’s Museum, among others.
During the second panel discussion, Lungisani Zulu highlighted the importance of branding oneself appropriately according to the value they want to bring to the table. Jito Kayumba stressed that women must not feel that they are owed anything but rather that they deserve it. Mulenga Kapwepwe, on the other hand, emphasized the importance of women not fighting for what men have but instead focusing on what they need as women in order to thrive.
Overall, the Women in the Boardroom event was a resounding success, demonstrating the power and potential of women in leadership positions to make a positive impact on society. The event provided a platform for women to share their experiences, learn from one another, and take concrete steps towards achieving their goals while making a difference in the lives of others.