‘Women should defend themselves without fear, for they are the world’s backbone.’ - Ten questions for Winnie Biira on how to #BeBoldForChange

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Each year on the 8th of March, International Women’s Day encourages us all to forge a better working and more gender inclusive world.

Children on the Edge works with local partners to restore the ingredients of a full childhood to some of the most vulnerable children worldwide. A big part of this is working towards equality in opportunities and an end to discrimination for the girls we work with.

The theme for the 2017 International Women's Day is #BeBoldForChange and we are privileged to be partnering with a number of truly inspirational women, who constantly use boldness and strength to bring about change for women and girls in their communities.

​Winnie Biira is the Finance, Human Resource and Policy Director at Children on the Edge Africa, in Jinja, Uganda. She ensures that organisation’s systems and resources are efficiently and effectively utilised to increase its capacity and meet its goals. She also inputs into the facilitation of our education loan scheme. We interviewed Winnie about what inspires her to be bold in creating change, what changes are possible, and how she overcomes obstacles and barriers in her work.

1. Can you describe why you first wanted to do this work?
The work I am doing is my area of study. I had 10 years experience before extending my services to Children on The Edge. I first wanted to do this work with Children on the Edge Africa in order to help those in need, those that have been deprived of their rights by corrupt people. 

I felt I was given an opportunity to honestly deliver services to those who need them most. I deeply love children with all my heart and do not want to see them get hurt. With my work, I was positive that I would ensure that the right resources are delivered to the right beneficiaries and I would take pride in that. I did not care what others felt as long as the needy have got what they deserve.
 
I felt I could use my skills to streamline the accounting and finance systems. I can put policies in place to reduce stress when it comes to implementation and make sure there is no room for manipulation. 

2. Have there been things that have happened in your life that have inspired you to do the work you do now?
A number of things have happened in my life that have inspired me to do the work I do now. The work I do was my dream career since childhood. I grew up in an environment where I was surrounded by companies, and I very much wanted to be a banker and count money since my father was the regional postal superintendent. He used to count money and he taught us how to do it! The women that were working in those companies were always smart and that inspired me a lot to study hard, work in these kinds of offices and to be as smart as they were!

When I visited the work we do with Children on The Edge, I was touched by the way people live and survive. I felt I should work even harder to help them live a decent life, firstly by letting them know their rights and then to fight for them boldly by building their confidence and self-esteem. I ensure that these communities receive the resources they need so they can earn a better living and be happy.

Another inspiration was the systems put in place by Children on the Edge. They are an equal opportunities employer, considerate, they are kind and care deeply for their employees.  Salaries are paid on time and policies are straight forward and friendly.

3. Have there been barriers you have had to overcome to achieve what you are doing now and barriers in the present? If so, how did you do you overcome them?

I am fortunate and have not experienced any barriers in what I am doing now. Children on the Edge has provided what is required to get work done and my family supports me to move on with my work well.

4. Are there any situations in your work that are made particularly difficult or in some cases easier because you are a woman?

I have not gone through difficult situations because I am a woman, instead I have had easier situations. At one point I had two children, one after the other in a short period of time, and I got so worried! Children on the Edge was there for me though. I was given maternity leave, all the support that I required and they kept telling me that children are a gift that they bring happiness and joy to the family. 

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5. What are some of the hardest moments you have experienced in what you do?

Handling finance, human resources and policies is a sensitive task that requires boldness and honesty. Integrity is important to me and important for our work, so I have had to be so strict to ensure things are done the right way. As a result, some people have referred to me as “THAT WOMAN!!”. 

In my life, sometimes I have to blow the whistle and terminate employee contracts. This is not an easy task given the fact that they also have families that depend on them. I have to think about the best interests of the children. However, this does not discourage me, it rather strengthens my work knowing that I am being bold to bring change to the world without fear.

6. What are some of the happiest/most inspiring moments you have experienced with what you do?
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The happiest moments I have experienced is when there is a positive change in the communities we reach out to. For example when we give out education loans I then get to see the community women busy with their businesses, with their livelihoods improved. I see the children who were home can now access school, they are healthier and there is a reduction in child abuse cases. Those are the moments when I feel I am great because I have honestly given them what is theirs and ensured it is of maximum benefit. 
Other moments are when all the staff have worked hard and when I am issuing pay cheques at end of month I see smiles on their faces. This is a happy time for me too as I am assured of covering the needs of my family. I also love to feel I have accomplished my work well when I look at our financial reports each quarter. 

7. What change would you like to bring through your work and for the people you work with?
Through my work, I would love to see the communities we serve improve their livelihoods and take responsibility for their rights and those of their children. This can be done if I ensure that the organisation’s financial and other resources are effectively and efficiently utilised.

8. Can you describe any ways that the women and girls you work with have changed, or overcome obstacles in the time you have been working with them?

Women and girls have overcome many obstacles and changed in the time I have been working with them. Through the education fund loans, women have seen their children go to school, they are improving their livelihoods and have seen their children become healthy as a result. 
The women and girls have become aware of their rights and have built up their self esteem and confidence to the point that they are bold enough to report domestic violence cases and child abuse cases to the authorities. This boldness I am certain will bring change to the communities and the world at large.
9. Are there situations where you have had to be brave or bold to bring about change? How do you overcome your fears?

Yes, there are a number of cases where I have been bold and stood by my decisions for the good of the organisation, my family and the communities we work with. My faith has helped me overcome my fears and also the simple knowledge that I am doing my job to the best of my ability and it is my duty to protect the organisation’s resources.

10. What would you say to encourage women who would like to make a difference in the world?

Women should be bold and stand up to protect their rights in order to bring change to this world. They should defend themselves without fear for they are the world’s backbone, without which it cannot stand.