Climbing career ladder
By Jacqui Iwu (jackie@sunnewsonline.com)
Saturday, April 19, 2008

Reaching the top and making the best of your career life does not come easy for women all over the world but in Africa, God – help – you!
Way back in the old, it was believed that women naturally got nothing to offer the world than to sit at home as house wives. Now, the men of old while keeping women at home also provided all their needs. It was a jolly-jolly good times we were told and women were simply satisfied and happy being housewives (IBOS call them Ori-Aku or Odozi Aku-meaning wealth keepers).

Unfortunately, as we progress into New age, with new changes everywhere in our lives, with more men now looking for rich women (single or married) to cling to, the notion of women not being productive career wise, still lingers on. Why do we not see more women participating in politics and holding top positions in big companies? Though we are in new age, the story of a woman’s place being in the ‘kitchen’ still ‘talks’ in our African society. So you can imagine how difficult it has been for the few who find themselves in top positions to cope with such a society. Is it easy and rosy for a woman to climb career ladder successfully in Africa? NO! DO women have meaningful contributions to make to our present society? Absolutely yes! Has our society accepted career women without a “but” Not Really!.

So, as a career woman, how do you make it to the top and still hold your head high?
Be bold and speak your mind at board or general meetings. Lots of women who desire to make impact at work place are often afraid of speaking out. When you sit with men who are higher than you in position and age, always be confident, focus and fearless and, never leave that meeting without making a contribution. Also do not put fellow workers down while making your point.

While making your contribution, you might be confronted with long-frowning faces but afterwards, when the chips are down, and the establishment is searching for people to keep the business running, you will be remembered and appreciated. Again the opposition group comprising mostly men, who usually feel a woman should not hold any top position, will at the same time play their Tom & Jerry tricks on you. Do not flirt with them or else, you can not get nowhere! For those under you, always be generous, nice and kind but know when to draw the line.

Finally, when you put your mind to achieve a goal or realise your dreams, challenges will be facing you regularly, just be strong, persistent present your worries to God and do not look back and, before you know it, you are there! Hey, when you get there and you want to maintain your status till you quit happily, bless people around you with your blessing.

BRING – IT – ON
I look and feel more beautiful
When I have peace of mind

IT WORKED FOR ME, TRY IT.
A bar of low calorie-almond nuts
filled dark chocolate calms me
down occasionally.

BREAST CANCER ALERT: Lower your Breast Cancer risk by not drowning in alcohol and eating too much refined foods.
Hei, It’s OK………..to have lost some pounds from that terrible running stomach due to your chronic unhygienic eating habit (wake up! Next time could be deadly).
FITNESS WATCH: Quitting smoking does not only spare you of cancer but also helps you not to age faster than your granny.
BEAUTY SPLASH: Try mashed banana as a regular facial mask. Mail me the results.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Can you help to change the world? Yes! You can! One step at a time.