By ALICE NACHILEMBE
Savenda General Insurance Limited Managing Director Irene Muyenga has told women to be ready to make mistakes in their efforts to gain experience.
Ms Muyenga said women shouldn’t be afraid to make mistakes because mistakes give them room to improve.
She said women lack self-confidence hence they fail to talk in meetings for fear of the unknown.
Ms Muyenga said as much as women are intelligent what kills them is the fear to ask a wrong question or give a wrong answer because they feel embarrassed
She also said that even if women may have been disadvantaged in one way or the other women themselves have a problem as far as other things are concerned.
Ms Muyenga was speaking during KCM’s corporate breakfast to celebrate women in the mining industry as part of this year’s commemoration of International Women’s Day.
“Our men folk don’t fear to make mistakes. They have self-confidence even when they are making mistakes. Because of this, women when promoted to managerial positions fail to talk when they are the only ones on the board” she said.
She said the lack of positive perception of themselves makes them feel a man should be promoted even when they have the same qualifications.
“Women should say no where it applies and should not show self-pity. People will understand you the woman MD because you are a mother and the contract signed says you have to work from 0800-1700 hours,” she said.
Ms Muyenga said workers should have a reason for being absent and not let home issues interfere with work. There should be a work-life balance.
She told women that Mother’s day is not a holiday. It came about because as women it’s embarrassing to be going to the male bosses every month to explain.
Ms Muyenga said women say they are on Mother’s but you find them in Shoprite. Mother’s Day is not compulsory. It’s for those who suffer pain though some have the pain but they do work.
She said progression at work requires hard work not self-pity. You can’t be promoted because you have worked in a company for a long time.
Ms Muyenga said as the theme for this year states “Press for progress” women should request for a promotion; it is their right.
