THE WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE (WIL) IN PLAN INTERNATIONAL SIERRA LEONE
PLAN INTERNATIONAL SIERRA LEONE HOSTS DR. CHRISTIANA THORPE AND PROFESSOR FELIXTINA JONSYN–ELLIS IN THE 1ST AND 2ND TALK SERIES OF THEIR WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE THIS YEAR
In line with Plan International Sierra Leone Country Director’s focus on talent management, a new gender equality initiative called the Women In Leadership Initiative (WIL) has been launched, which provides opportunities for female staff to be nurtured and supported in their professional development in Sierra Leone. Women in Leadership initiative, is a platform created by the Country Director (Casely Ato Coleman), for female staff to learn and share experiences in developing their career.
One of the actions in this initiative in to invite accomplished female leaders inside and outside Plan International to share experiences and tips on how to grow as a female leader. In February this year, Dr. Christiana Thorpe, a renowned Educationist, was invited by Plan International Sierra Leone to facilitate the 1st Women in leadership Talk Series session with the female staff of the organisation. Dr. Thorpe is CEO for RIFTS Foundation, Founder for FAWE Sierra Leone, Former Minister of State, Former Electoral Commissioner, MEST Schools Reopening Committee Chairman and newly appointed Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Technology. Her discussion with the Plan staff focused on IDENTIFYING THEIR OWN LEADERSHIP SKILLS. Some of the leadership skills and traits identified by the female Plan International staff, during the discussions with Dr. Thorpe included: listening to others and talking less, respectfulness, supportiveness, setting high personal standards, being fast/ speed for quality work, confidentiality, giving and taking feedback, helping people, mobilizing others in the team, planning and organizing, forgiving people easily, motivating teams, being accommodating, being outspoken, task orientation.
On the 13th April 2016, Plan International again invited another notable and eloquent woman, Professor Felixtina Jonsyn-Ellis, to deliver the 2nd Women in leadership Talk Series session. Professor Felixtina Johsyn-Ellis is a former Deputy Vice Chancellor, and Dean of the School of Environmental Sciences, Njala University. Professor Jonsyn-Ellis is also former Head of the Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, COMAHS School of Pharmacy in Freetown, former Acting Vice-Chancellor, University of The Gambia and former Dean -Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of The Gambia. Her inspirational talk with Plan International Staff focused on WHAT MAKES YOU A SUCCESSFUL WOMAN. Some of the tips which ladies of Plan International got from the great Professor were : Staying calm- the ability to manage ones emotions and remaining calm even under pressure , managing stress in times of crisis, Being positive, Breathing in and Out when tense, having a Support System, positively balancing work/ career development , education, and family life.
According to Casely Coleman, these inspirational Talk series will continue and Plan International will provide the opportunity for more female role models in the Country to interact with their female staff and help in mentoring them through their career development path, in alignment with the Plan International global advocacy project “Because I am a Girl”.
“You can’t control your circumstances, but you can control how you respond to them.” Says, Professor Felixtina Johsyn-Ellis, Former Deputy Vice Chancellor, Njala University.
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