By Ben Musanje
As International Women’s Day approached, eyewear company Lapaire Africa in Uganda hosted a brief powerful forum that brought together voices from corporate, legal, and media sectors to confront the entrenched inequalities women still face in workplaces and society, sparking a bold conversation about power, representation, and systemic barriers that continue to define women’s opportunities.
Mark Muoki, Human Resource Manager at Lapaire East Africa, set the tone by addressing the uncomfortable reality that men still dominate leadership positions in many industries, including the optical and health sectors, which directly shapes who gets opportunities, promotions, and professional recognition. Far from viewing men as passive bystanders, Muoki insisted that they must actively participate in solutions, leveraging their positions to empower women, particularly young female eye specialists who might lack experience but carry ambition and potential. Through deliberate hiring, mentorship, and development, he argued, men in decision-making roles could begin to redress the imbalance, gradually increasing female representation in sectors long dominated by men.
Yet the conversation quickly highlighted that structural change in the workplace is only part of a broader struggle. Lorraine Aguti, Lawyer and Policy Analyst at the Uganda Law Society, emphasized that legal protections for women, while extensive on paper, often fail in practice due to lack of awareness, entrenched cultural norms, and systemic barriers. She recounted harrowing cases of women losing family property, facing discrimination in promotions despite identical qualifications, or enduring harassment that is dismissed as minor. Aguti stressed that education about rights and access to justice must start early, equipping women across socioeconomic backgrounds to advocate for themselves before abuse or inequality occurs.
The discussion moderated by Lynette Mary Muhiirwa, an eye specialist at Lapaire Africa also delved into the power of mentorship and shared knowledge as a form of empowerment. Roseline Kilonzo, Retail Marketing Manager at Lapaire Africa, reflected on the theme of “give to gain,” urging women to transform the societal expectation of endless giving into a cycle of mutual growth. Drawing from the medical concept of “see one, do one, teach one,” she explained that observing, practicing, and teaching knowledge empowers not only the learner but also the teacher, creating ladders for others to climb. Leadership, she argued, is not about appearing invincible but about courageously asking for help, sharing insights, and building support networks that allow collective advancement.
Adding another layer to the dialogue, media personality and Fashionist Lyn Atwiine highlighted her work amplifying women’s achievements through storytelling, showing how earlier generations endured extraordinary obstacles to carve out spaces that women now navigate more freely. She emphasized that the sacrifices and perseverance of those who came before make it possible for younger women to walk confidently and even run further in industries that were once almost entirely inaccessible.
The forum’s combined voices painted a vivid picture of the ongoing struggle for equality, from legal and institutional gaps to cultural norms and workplace biases, while also offering practical strategies for change. From deliberate mentorship and empowerment initiatives to challenging male-dominated decision-making and raising awareness about rights, the discussion underscored that meaningful progress requires action at every level.
By the end of the session, one message rang clear: breaking male-dominated systems, claiming legal and professional rights, and fostering collective empowerment is no longer a conversation confined to theory — it is a dynamic, urgent call to action for women, men, and institutions alike, as Lapaire Africa boldly demonstrated in its lead-up to International Women’s Day that will be marked on 8th March 2026. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
