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A Call to Action: Setting the Stage
On March 28, 2025, BrighterMonday Uganda and the Foundation for Uganda’s Economic Empowerment (FUE) convened leaders, changemakers, and professionals for a pivotal webinar conversation: “Breaking Barriers: The Future of Women’s Economic Empowerment in Leadership & Business.”
Under the warm welcome of moderator Xenia Wachira, participants were invited not just to listen, but to act—because every barrier dismantled today becomes the stepping stone for tomorrow’s leader.
Xenia reminded us that celebration without action slips into complacency. That evening, we would chart concrete pathways to equity—through storytelling, data, and lived expertise.
Meet the Changemaker: Grace Muliisa
Before the discussion began, we heard from our keynote: Grace Muliisa, Managing Director of Ecobank Uganda. With over 20 years steering retail and SME banking across Africa and Asia, Grace’s journey is a testament to purposeful leadership—one that fuses strategic growth with empathy and inclusion.
From earning her Chartered Banker MBA to executive trainings at Oxford and INSEAD, she’s leveraged financial acumen to uplift communities and champion women’s voices on boardrooms and beyond.
“When we open doors for one woman,” she told us, “we’re unlocking potential for a thousand more.”
Her words set the tone: empowerment is contagious.
1. Championing Inclusive Workplaces
Why it matters: An inclusive culture isn’t a “nice-to-have”—it’s the bedrock of innovation and retention. Under Xenia’s guidance, Grace outlined the first frontier:
● Policy Foundations:
Crafting parental‑leave packages and flexible hours so caregivers—predominantly women—can thrive in leadership pipelines.
● Leadership by Example:
Executives must walk the talk: Grace shared how Ecobank’s C‑suite now includes gender‑balanced interview panels.
● Safe Spaces:
Formal mentorship circles ensure that women at every level have sponsors cheering them on, not just critics.
By embedding inclusion into KPIs, organizations signal that equity is as measurable—and non‑negotiable—as profitability.
2. Closing the Gender Pay Gap
The data is stark: women in Uganda still earn substantially less than men for equivalent roles. So, how do we course‑correct?
- Transparent Salary Bands:
Ecobank publicly shares pay scales for all positions—preempting bias and demystifying compensation. - Regular Audits:
Automated analytics flag disparities by gender and role, enabling swift redress. - Tie Remediation to Rewards:
Grace explained how managers who close pay‑gap pockets earn recognition in their own performance reviews.
“Pay transparency is the single most disruptive tool we have against systemic bias,” Grace affirmed.
3. Financial Literacy as a Launchpad
Money conversations often make us uneasy, yet lack of financial know‑how is a barrier in itself. In our third segment:
● Workshops & Bootcamps:
Tailored sessions demystify budgeting, investing, and credit—empowering women to negotiate for raises or launch ventures.
● Peer‑Led Learning:
Grace shared stories of women who began as novices in Ecobank’s bootcamps and now serve as peer mentors.
● Digital Tools:
Mobile apps with bite‑sized learning modules ensure that even a 10‑minute commute can translate into financial confidence. Invested knowledge, she reminded us, compounds faster than any bank interest.
4. Scaling Women‑Led Businesses
Entrepreneurs face unique challenges—limited collateral, network gaps, and market biases. Our fourth discussion dove into:
● Micro‑Financing Models:
Innovative loan products that factor in alternative credit histories—like supplier relationships and mobile‑money usage.
● Corporate Partnerships:
Ecobank’s SME‑link program connects women‑led startups with large enterprises seeking suppliers, breaking the “you can’t buy from her” ceiling.
● Skill‑Building Grants:
Competitive grants tied to training in digital marketing, supply‑chain management, and financial planning.
The result? Startups that once plateaued at ten employees now report 50% annual growth.
5. Words to the Next Generation
As the sun dipped below the Kampala skyline, Grace addressed young professionals in the audience:
“Believe that your voice matters. Seek sponsors, not just mentors. And never underestimate the power of ‘yet’—you may not be there yet, but every challenge is a rung on your ladder.”
Her advice was simple, yet profound: success is neither a straight line nor a solo journey.
Watch Full Webinar >> here
Link to the Slides >> here
Behind the Scenes: Q&A Highlights
In the 15‑minute Q&A, participants pressed Grace on tough topics:
● Balancing Act: How do you juggle community commitments and corporate KPIs?
Answer: “I calendar‑block everything—family dinners as sacred as board meetings.”
● Tackling Bias at Scale: Can corporate policies shift mindsets?
Answer: “Policies open the door; personal stories carry hearts through it.”
Attendees left brimming with ideas—and contact cards—to keep the dialogue alive.
Conclusion & Next Steps
“Breaking Barriers” was more than a webinar—it was a movement catalyst. From policy blueprints to personal mantras, every insight shared is an invitation to act. Whether you’re an HR leader, an aspiring entrepreneur, or a change‑seeker, the question remains:
What barrier will you help dismantle today?
Let’s carry this momentum into our boardrooms, communities, and homes.
Resources
● Recording & Slides (Video link & Passcode, Link to slides)
● Join our Next Event: Stay tuned at BrighterMonday Uganda
● Get Involved: Sign up to mentor at FUE’s portal
Together, we’ll build workplaces—and a world—where every woman’s potential knows no bounds.
Written by Isah Nyombi, Digital Marketing Specialist at BrighterMonday Uganda.
