Looking back to 2022, one specific date stands out for me.

On August 12, 2022, a group of 300 young women began an intensive, month-long accelerated program called Elengué Mwassi Connect.  This program includes the IT specialization modules which are Web Development, Digital Marketing, Coding and Video Editing.

The "Elengué Mwassi Connect" initiative is part of the support project for the integration of young people in national development: Youth Connekt Congo (ProDoc) signed between the Ministry of Youth and the UNDP.  The project aims to promote young Congolese as agents of change through the provision of employment, apprenticeship, vocational training and entrepreneurship opportunities supporting their direct contributions to development with the aim of advancing the SDGs.

On September 2, 2022, I had the opportunity to sit on a panel for the “Elengué Mwassi Connect Conference on Women’s Leadership” and share with these 300 young women my experience as an AfYWL Fellow Program Analyst.  The theme of the day was “Women dare to seize opportunities!” through leadership.

The conversation was about feeling empowered and continually working to improve.  Seizing opportunities when they arise and creating new ones if necessary.   As young women, we are often afraid to speak up and pursue what we really want. We tend to avoid certain opportunities due to the misleading opinions of our community members and even our families.  We turn down life-changing opportunities for fear of how society will see and judge us.

Like many other women, I had to deal with my own societal pressures.  I am an avid learner and will always jump at the chance to expand my knowledge.  At the end of my first master's degree, I heard people in my community saying: “Your studies are enough now, it's high time you started your own family".  I ignored them and pursued a second master's degree and this time I heard "it's too much studying, men don't like women who are too smart", "you're going to have a hard time  finding a husband” “you talk like a man, try to be gentle… you know, lady like. I could go on, but needless to say women are having a hard time.

During the conference, we talked about personal branding, being true to yourself, and being intentional about the self-image we project in our nowadays highly digital world.  I stressed the importance of learning English as the key to opportunities.  I shared my personal experience as a French speaker and how English opened so many doors for me and propelled my career advancement.

Additionally, I helped demystify the taboo behind volunteering being a waste of time, but taking it as an opportunity to show potential employers motivation, work ethic and dedication.  I am a strong advocate for connecting people in need to resources to help them thrive.  My biggest advice to these young women is to not settle for the status quo and to challenge themselves.

On Friday, September 23, 2022, I traveled to the city of Kinkala in the Pool department to see 100 girls who are also participating in the "Elengué Mwassi Connect" initiative.

They were following a course on "Introduction to IT  ", most of them are young mothers who are breaking the status quo and paving the way for their children.  These girls are thriving and exceeding expectations.

I am honored to have been able to interact with so many young women full of potential.  We must be intentional in creating such opportunities like conferences and trainings. There is a great need for them. Young women need role models, women who live among them, who have overcome context-specific realities and who have succeeded.  Young women need to be able to successfully picture themselves in today's society, because when they relate, they connect.

On November 8, the program ended with a lively closing ceremony.  These young women are committed and want to take charge of their lives.  The future is as bright as we let it.

On February 11, 2023, these young women will be invited to come together once again. They will share with each other how the training has helped them.  The objective of this event is to measure the impact of the training on their ability to get a job and their zeal for entrepreneurship.

Women here and everywhere, dare to seize opportunities!  2023 is your year to shine.

                                                                                                                                                  Daniela Fatima NIANDUILLET

                                                                                                                                                Analyste de Programme PNUD