Kenyan gender advocate Vivian Onano for innovation summit
The Liberty VUKA Knowledge Summit – which takes place at the Sandton Convention Centre, November 1-2, under the theme Awaken Your Curiosity, features an impressive array of speakers including, US mogul and entrepreneur, Russell Simmons; Nobel Prize-winner, Wole Soyinka; founder of Black Girls Code, Kimberly Bryant, who has been listed as one of the "25 Most Influential African-Americans In Technology"; CEO of Moving Brands Inc, Mat Heinl; and local What’s Your Moonshot? trend and innovation strategist, John Sanei.
Onano, who is the partnerships manager at SEED Project, global Youth Ambassador for Water Aid and vice-chair of Global Youth Empowerment Fund Board of Trustees, has been profiled by Forbes as “One to Watch”; New African Woman featured her as one of the “30 under 30: Faces Changing Africa Now”; and she was a recipient of the 2016 MTV Africa Award under the category “Africa Re-imagined”.
Onano talks about the summit, business lessons and her advice for women and young people in the workplace:
We know your subject is 'Youth and Women + Redefining Gender Roles =?', but can you tell us a little bit more about this?My focus is going to be on the importance of education to liberate women and youth to achieve their full potential in the society. Definitely look at the challenges that women face at the work place and in society; and young people finding themselves in a chaotic world that we live in today. All this will be tied to the importance of knowledge and information in redefining gender roles that can lead to the success of businesses and promote cohesive existence in diversified communities.
What do you hope your audience will take away from it?The power of equipping yourself with the right knowledge and how that can transform your life. The difference between me and any other kid in the village is the fact that somebody gave me access to knowledge, information and education that in turn changed the trajectory of my life. Where you come from doesn’t determine your power.
What is the biggest lesson you have learnt in business/from business?The biggest lesson is to always be dynamic and have a strong team. It is important to surround yourself with people who are smarter than you if you are to succeed. That gives room to new ideas and possibilities. You should be open to taking “NO” from people and use those “No’s” to improve yourself.
Have you always learnt from your failures?I have come to appreciate my failures because they have enabled me to be a better person. At the beginning, it was not easy and sort of affected my self-esteem. I am that person who never wants to believe that I am not good enough; and that is what I initially thought failures translated to. But that has changed, I have come to celebrate my failures however frustrating they are. I may cry the first day but tomorrow I will wake up smiling and ready to conquer again. It’s all in the mindset and as human beings we have control over that
As an advocate for women and girls across the globe, what role do young people play in the pursuit of gender equity at home and abroad?Africa today is more youthful than it has ever been in the history of civilisation and young people have a greater role to play in achieving social, economic and political stability on the continent. When it comes to the issue on gender equality; it is still a feared topic. Partly because a lot of focus is on women empowerment and coming from a society that is still male dominated it’s not an easy conversation to have. Lately, I have tried to personalise the need to achieve gender equality more so with male friends or youth leaders. That way I drive the message home much faster. It is important to continue having open conversations on why achieving gender equality is good for business, economy, political stability and overall cohesive existence of communities. That being said, I continue to see more and more young people interested in advocating for gender equality and more business leaders are making it a priority too.
In addition to your role as an advocate, you also work a great deal on partnerships. Why does collaboration matter?Collaboration is very important in the world that we live in today. We continue to speak about the same developmental/business challenges because people are working in silos. Collaboration is important for sharing ideas, best practices and maximising the limited resources available.
What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs or those looking to start their own business?Make sure your business venture/idea is in line with your passion; it’s not just about making money but having a sustainable impact in the community. Be open to taking calculated risks; they may me scary but totally worth it at the end of the day. You will only learn by doing; so, start now.
What are your strengths?Strong communication and people skills, discipline, hardworking, dependable, passionate.
What advice do you have for this year's graduates?The world owes you nothing; go out into the world and chart your own path. Remember, your journey is unique with different opportunities and challenges, so avoid comparing your path to your friends or former classmates. Go at your own pace and you will finally get there; enjoy your journey and make every second count.
Regarding the millennial generation: what are they doing right when it comes to their careers?More and more I see young people seeking mentors and this is very important in your career path. Your career path may not be similar to your mentor’s but the advice and guidance makes a big difference.
And what are they doing wrong in their careers?Forgetting their passion and going into careers because of money. Most have ended up very frustrated with life.
With all the challenges that women and girls face around the world, as a millennial, what gives you hope?What gives me hope is that there are more and more governments, businesses, and civil society groups making women and girls issues a priority. People are beginning to understand why investing in women and girls is a smart move with great returns for the economy and well-being of communities.
We know your subject is 'Youth and Women + Redefining Gender Roles =?', but can you tell us a little bit more about this?My focus is going to be on the importance of education to liberate women and youth to achieve their full potential in the society. Definitely look at the challenges that women face at the work place and in society; and young people finding themselves in a chaotic world that we live in today. All this will be tied to the importance of knowledge and information in redefining gender roles that can lead to the success of businesses and promote cohesive existence in diversified communities.
What do you hope your audience will take away from it?The power of equipping yourself with the right knowledge and how that can transform your life. The difference between me and any other kid in the village is the fact that somebody gave me access to knowledge, information and education that in turn changed the trajectory of my life. Where you come from doesn’t determine your power.
What is the biggest lesson you have learnt in business/from business?The biggest lesson is to always be dynamic and have a strong team. It is important to surround yourself with people who are smarter than you if you are to succeed. That gives room to new ideas and possibilities. You should be open to taking “NO” from people and use those “No’s” to improve yourself.
Have you always learnt from your failures?I have come to appreciate my failures because they have enabled me to be a better person. At the beginning, it was not easy and sort of affected my self-esteem. I am that person who never wants to believe that I am not good enough; and that is what I initially thought failures translated to. But that has changed, I have come to celebrate my failures however frustrating they are. I may cry the first day but tomorrow I will wake up smiling and ready to conquer again. It’s all in the mindset and as human beings we have control over that
As an advocate for women and girls across the globe, what role do young people play in the pursuit of gender equity at home and abroad?Africa today is more youthful than it has ever been in the history of civilisation and young people have a greater role to play in achieving social, economic and political stability on the continent. When it comes to the issue on gender equality; it is still a feared topic. Partly because a lot of focus is on women empowerment and coming from a society that is still male dominated it’s not an easy conversation to have. Lately, I have tried to personalise the need to achieve gender equality more so with male friends or youth leaders. That way I drive the message home much faster. It is important to continue having open conversations on why achieving gender equality is good for business, economy, political stability and overall cohesive existence of communities. That being said, I continue to see more and more young people interested in advocating for gender equality and more business leaders are making it a priority too.
In addition to your role as an advocate, you also work a great deal on partnerships. Why does collaboration matter?Collaboration is very important in the world that we live in today. We continue to speak about the same developmental/business challenges because people are working in silos. Collaboration is important for sharing ideas, best practices and maximising the limited resources available.
What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs or those looking to start their own business?Make sure your business venture/idea is in line with your passion; it’s not just about making money but having a sustainable impact in the community. Be open to taking calculated risks; they may me scary but totally worth it at the end of the day. You will only learn by doing; so, start now.
What are your strengths?Strong communication and people skills, discipline, hardworking, dependable, passionate.
What advice do you have for this year's graduates?The world owes you nothing; go out into the world and chart your own path. Remember, your journey is unique with different opportunities and challenges, so avoid comparing your path to your friends or former classmates. Go at your own pace and you will finally get there; enjoy your journey and make every second count.
Regarding the millennial generation: what are they doing right when it comes to their careers?More and more I see young people seeking mentors and this is very important in your career path. Your career path may not be similar to your mentor’s but the advice and guidance makes a big difference.
And what are they doing wrong in their careers?Forgetting their passion and going into careers because of money. Most have ended up very frustrated with life.
With all the challenges that women and girls face around the world, as a millennial, what gives you hope?What gives me hope is that there are more and more governments, businesses, and civil society groups making women and girls issues a priority. People are beginning to understand why investing in women and girls is a smart move with great returns for the economy and well-being of communities.
What do you hope your audience will take away from it?The power of equipping yourself with the right knowledge and how that can transform your life. The difference between me and any other kid in the village is the fact that somebody gave me access to knowledge, information and education that in turn changed the trajectory of my life. Where you come from doesn’t determine your power.
What is the biggest lesson you have learnt in business/from business?The biggest lesson is to always be dynamic and have a strong team. It is important to surround yourself with people who are smarter than you if you are to succeed. That gives room to new ideas and possibilities. You should be open to taking “NO” from people and use those “No’s” to improve yourself.
Have you always learnt from your failures?I have come to appreciate my failures because they have enabled me to be a better person. At the beginning, it was not easy and sort of affected my self-esteem. I am that person who never wants to believe that I am not good enough; and that is what I initially thought failures translated to. But that has changed, I have come to celebrate my failures however frustrating they are. I may cry the first day but tomorrow I will wake up smiling and ready to conquer again. It’s all in the mindset and as human beings we have control over that
As an advocate for women and girls across the globe, what role do young people play in the pursuit of gender equity at home and abroad?Africa today is more youthful than it has ever been in the history of civilisation and young people have a greater role to play in achieving social, economic and political stability on the continent. When it comes to the issue on gender equality; it is still a feared topic. Partly because a lot of focus is on women empowerment and coming from a society that is still male dominated it’s not an easy conversation to have. Lately, I have tried to personalise the need to achieve gender equality more so with male friends or youth leaders. That way I drive the message home much faster. It is important to continue having open conversations on why achieving gender equality is good for business, economy, political stability and overall cohesive existence of communities. That being said, I continue to see more and more young people interested in advocating for gender equality and more business leaders are making it a priority too.
In addition to your role as an advocate, you also work a great deal on partnerships. Why does collaboration matter?Collaboration is very important in the world that we live in today. We continue to speak about the same developmental/business challenges because people are working in silos. Collaboration is important for sharing ideas, best practices and maximising the limited resources available.
What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs or those looking to start their own business?Make sure your business venture/idea is in line with your passion; it’s not just about making money but having a sustainable impact in the community. Be open to taking calculated risks; they may me scary but totally worth it at the end of the day. You will only learn by doing; so, start now.
What are your strengths?Strong communication and people skills, discipline, hardworking, dependable, passionate.
What advice do you have for this year's graduates?The world owes you nothing; go out into the world and chart your own path. Remember, your journey is unique with different opportunities and challenges, so avoid comparing your path to your friends or former classmates. Go at your own pace and you will finally get there; enjoy your journey and make every second count.
Regarding the millennial generation: what are they doing right when it comes to their careers?More and more I see young people seeking mentors and this is very important in your career path. Your career path may not be similar to your mentor’s but the advice and guidance makes a big difference.
And what are they doing wrong in their careers?Forgetting their passion and going into careers because of money. Most have ended up very frustrated with life.
With all the challenges that women and girls face around the world, as a millennial, what gives you hope?What gives me hope is that there are more and more governments, businesses, and civil society groups making women and girls issues a priority. People are beginning to understand why investing in women and girls is a smart move with great returns for the economy and well-being of communities.
What is the biggest lesson you have learnt in business/from business?The biggest lesson is to always be dynamic and have a strong team. It is important to surround yourself with people who are smarter than you if you are to succeed. That gives room to new ideas and possibilities. You should be open to taking “NO” from people and use those “No’s” to improve yourself.
Have you always learnt from your failures?I have come to appreciate my failures because they have enabled me to be a better person. At the beginning, it was not easy and sort of affected my self-esteem. I am that person who never wants to believe that I am not good enough; and that is what I initially thought failures translated to. But that has changed, I have come to celebrate my failures however frustrating they are. I may cry the first day but tomorrow I will wake up smiling and ready to conquer again. It’s all in the mindset and as human beings we have control over that
As an advocate for women and girls across the globe, what role do young people play in the pursuit of gender equity at home and abroad?Africa today is more youthful than it has ever been in the history of civilisation and young people have a greater role to play in achieving social, economic and political stability on the continent. When it comes to the issue on gender equality; it is still a feared topic. Partly because a lot of focus is on women empowerment and coming from a society that is still male dominated it’s not an easy conversation to have. Lately, I have tried to personalise the need to achieve gender equality more so with male friends or youth leaders. That way I drive the message home much faster. It is important to continue having open conversations on why achieving gender equality is good for business, economy, political stability and overall cohesive existence of communities. That being said, I continue to see more and more young people interested in advocating for gender equality and more business leaders are making it a priority too.
In addition to your role as an advocate, you also work a great deal on partnerships. Why does collaboration matter?Collaboration is very important in the world that we live in today. We continue to speak about the same developmental/business challenges because people are working in silos. Collaboration is important for sharing ideas, best practices and maximising the limited resources available.
What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs or those looking to start their own business?Make sure your business venture/idea is in line with your passion; it’s not just about making money but having a sustainable impact in the community. Be open to taking calculated risks; they may me scary but totally worth it at the end of the day. You will only learn by doing; so, start now.
What are your strengths?Strong communication and people skills, discipline, hardworking, dependable, passionate.
What advice do you have for this year's graduates?The world owes you nothing; go out into the world and chart your own path. Remember, your journey is unique with different opportunities and challenges, so avoid comparing your path to your friends or former classmates. Go at your own pace and you will finally get there; enjoy your journey and make every second count.
Regarding the millennial generation: what are they doing right when it comes to their careers?More and more I see young people seeking mentors and this is very important in your career path. Your career path may not be similar to your mentor’s but the advice and guidance makes a big difference.
And what are they doing wrong in their careers?Forgetting their passion and going into careers because of money. Most have ended up very frustrated with life.
With all the challenges that women and girls face around the world, as a millennial, what gives you hope?What gives me hope is that there are more and more governments, businesses, and civil society groups making women and girls issues a priority. People are beginning to understand why investing in women and girls is a smart move with great returns for the economy and well-being of communities.
Have you always learnt from your failures?I have come to appreciate my failures because they have enabled me to be a better person. At the beginning, it was not easy and sort of affected my self-esteem. I am that person who never wants to believe that I am not good enough; and that is what I initially thought failures translated to. But that has changed, I have come to celebrate my failures however frustrating they are. I may cry the first day but tomorrow I will wake up smiling and ready to conquer again. It’s all in the mindset and as human beings we have control over that
As an advocate for women and girls across the globe, what role do young people play in the pursuit of gender equity at home and abroad?Africa today is more youthful than it has ever been in the history of civilisation and young people have a greater role to play in achieving social, economic and political stability on the continent. When it comes to the issue on gender equality; it is still a feared topic. Partly because a lot of focus is on women empowerment and coming from a society that is still male dominated it’s not an easy conversation to have. Lately, I have tried to personalise the need to achieve gender equality more so with male friends or youth leaders. That way I drive the message home much faster. It is important to continue having open conversations on why achieving gender equality is good for business, economy, political stability and overall cohesive existence of communities. That being said, I continue to see more and more young people interested in advocating for gender equality and more business leaders are making it a priority too.
In addition to your role as an advocate, you also work a great deal on partnerships. Why does collaboration matter?Collaboration is very important in the world that we live in today. We continue to speak about the same developmental/business challenges because people are working in silos. Collaboration is important for sharing ideas, best practices and maximising the limited resources available.
What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs or those looking to start their own business?Make sure your business venture/idea is in line with your passion; it’s not just about making money but having a sustainable impact in the community. Be open to taking calculated risks; they may me scary but totally worth it at the end of the day. You will only learn by doing; so, start now.
What are your strengths?Strong communication and people skills, discipline, hardworking, dependable, passionate.
What advice do you have for this year's graduates?The world owes you nothing; go out into the world and chart your own path. Remember, your journey is unique with different opportunities and challenges, so avoid comparing your path to your friends or former classmates. Go at your own pace and you will finally get there; enjoy your journey and make every second count.
Regarding the millennial generation: what are they doing right when it comes to their careers?More and more I see young people seeking mentors and this is very important in your career path. Your career path may not be similar to your mentor’s but the advice and guidance makes a big difference.
And what are they doing wrong in their careers?Forgetting their passion and going into careers because of money. Most have ended up very frustrated with life.
With all the challenges that women and girls face around the world, as a millennial, what gives you hope?What gives me hope is that there are more and more governments, businesses, and civil society groups making women and girls issues a priority. People are beginning to understand why investing in women and girls is a smart move with great returns for the economy and well-being of communities.
As an advocate for women and girls across the globe, what role do young people play in the pursuit of gender equity at home and abroad?Africa today is more youthful than it has ever been in the history of civilisation and young people have a greater role to play in achieving social, economic and political stability on the continent. When it comes to the issue on gender equality; it is still a feared topic. Partly because a lot of focus is on women empowerment and coming from a society that is still male dominated it’s not an easy conversation to have. Lately, I have tried to personalise the need to achieve gender equality more so with male friends or youth leaders. That way I drive the message home much faster. It is important to continue having open conversations on why achieving gender equality is good for business, economy, political stability and overall cohesive existence of communities. That being said, I continue to see more and more young people interested in advocating for gender equality and more business leaders are making it a priority too.
In addition to your role as an advocate, you also work a great deal on partnerships. Why does collaboration matter?Collaboration is very important in the world that we live in today. We continue to speak about the same developmental/business challenges because people are working in silos. Collaboration is important for sharing ideas, best practices and maximising the limited resources available.
What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs or those looking to start their own business?Make sure your business venture/idea is in line with your passion; it’s not just about making money but having a sustainable impact in the community. Be open to taking calculated risks; they may me scary but totally worth it at the end of the day. You will only learn by doing; so, start now.
What are your strengths?Strong communication and people skills, discipline, hardworking, dependable, passionate.
What advice do you have for this year's graduates?The world owes you nothing; go out into the world and chart your own path. Remember, your journey is unique with different opportunities and challenges, so avoid comparing your path to your friends or former classmates. Go at your own pace and you will finally get there; enjoy your journey and make every second count.
Regarding the millennial generation: what are they doing right when it comes to their careers?More and more I see young people seeking mentors and this is very important in your career path. Your career path may not be similar to your mentor’s but the advice and guidance makes a big difference.
And what are they doing wrong in their careers?Forgetting their passion and going into careers because of money. Most have ended up very frustrated with life.
With all the challenges that women and girls face around the world, as a millennial, what gives you hope?What gives me hope is that there are more and more governments, businesses, and civil society groups making women and girls issues a priority. People are beginning to understand why investing in women and girls is a smart move with great returns for the economy and well-being of communities.
In addition to your role as an advocate, you also work a great deal on partnerships. Why does collaboration matter?Collaboration is very important in the world that we live in today. We continue to speak about the same developmental/business challenges because people are working in silos. Collaboration is important for sharing ideas, best practices and maximising the limited resources available.
What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs or those looking to start their own business?Make sure your business venture/idea is in line with your passion; it’s not just about making money but having a sustainable impact in the community. Be open to taking calculated risks; they may me scary but totally worth it at the end of the day. You will only learn by doing; so, start now.
What are your strengths?Strong communication and people skills, discipline, hardworking, dependable, passionate.
What advice do you have for this year's graduates?The world owes you nothing; go out into the world and chart your own path. Remember, your journey is unique with different opportunities and challenges, so avoid comparing your path to your friends or former classmates. Go at your own pace and you will finally get there; enjoy your journey and make every second count.
Regarding the millennial generation: what are they doing right when it comes to their careers?More and more I see young people seeking mentors and this is very important in your career path. Your career path may not be similar to your mentor’s but the advice and guidance makes a big difference.
And what are they doing wrong in their careers?Forgetting their passion and going into careers because of money. Most have ended up very frustrated with life.
With all the challenges that women and girls face around the world, as a millennial, what gives you hope?What gives me hope is that there are more and more governments, businesses, and civil society groups making women and girls issues a priority. People are beginning to understand why investing in women and girls is a smart move with great returns for the economy and well-being of communities.
What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs or those looking to start their own business?Make sure your business venture/idea is in line with your passion; it’s not just about making money but having a sustainable impact in the community. Be open to taking calculated risks; they may me scary but totally worth it at the end of the day. You will only learn by doing; so, start now.
What are your strengths?Strong communication and people skills, discipline, hardworking, dependable, passionate.
What advice do you have for this year's graduates?The world owes you nothing; go out into the world and chart your own path. Remember, your journey is unique with different opportunities and challenges, so avoid comparing your path to your friends or former classmates. Go at your own pace and you will finally get there; enjoy your journey and make every second count.
Regarding the millennial generation: what are they doing right when it comes to their careers?More and more I see young people seeking mentors and this is very important in your career path. Your career path may not be similar to your mentor’s but the advice and guidance makes a big difference.
And what are they doing wrong in their careers?Forgetting their passion and going into careers because of money. Most have ended up very frustrated with life.
With all the challenges that women and girls face around the world, as a millennial, what gives you hope?What gives me hope is that there are more and more governments, businesses, and civil society groups making women and girls issues a priority. People are beginning to understand why investing in women and girls is a smart move with great returns for the economy and well-being of communities.
What are your strengths?Strong communication and people skills, discipline, hardworking, dependable, passionate.
What advice do you have for this year's graduates?The world owes you nothing; go out into the world and chart your own path. Remember, your journey is unique with different opportunities and challenges, so avoid comparing your path to your friends or former classmates. Go at your own pace and you will finally get there; enjoy your journey and make every second count.
Regarding the millennial generation: what are they doing right when it comes to their careers?More and more I see young people seeking mentors and this is very important in your career path. Your career path may not be similar to your mentor’s but the advice and guidance makes a big difference.
And what are they doing wrong in their careers?Forgetting their passion and going into careers because of money. Most have ended up very frustrated with life.
With all the challenges that women and girls face around the world, as a millennial, what gives you hope?What gives me hope is that there are more and more governments, businesses, and civil society groups making women and girls issues a priority. People are beginning to understand why investing in women and girls is a smart move with great returns for the economy and well-being of communities.
What advice do you have for this year's graduates?The world owes you nothing; go out into the world and chart your own path. Remember, your journey is unique with different opportunities and challenges, so avoid comparing your path to your friends or former classmates. Go at your own pace and you will finally get there; enjoy your journey and make every second count.
Regarding the millennial generation: what are they doing right when it comes to their careers?More and more I see young people seeking mentors and this is very important in your career path. Your career path may not be similar to your mentor’s but the advice and guidance makes a big difference.
And what are they doing wrong in their careers?Forgetting their passion and going into careers because of money. Most have ended up very frustrated with life.
With all the challenges that women and girls face around the world, as a millennial, what gives you hope?What gives me hope is that there are more and more governments, businesses, and civil society groups making women and girls issues a priority. People are beginning to understand why investing in women and girls is a smart move with great returns for the economy and well-being of communities.
Regarding the millennial generation: what are they doing right when it comes to their careers?More and more I see young people seeking mentors and this is very important in your career path. Your career path may not be similar to your mentor’s but the advice and guidance makes a big difference.
And what are they doing wrong in their careers?Forgetting their passion and going into careers because of money. Most have ended up very frustrated with life.
With all the challenges that women and girls face around the world, as a millennial, what gives you hope?What gives me hope is that there are more and more governments, businesses, and civil society groups making women and girls issues a priority. People are beginning to understand why investing in women and girls is a smart move with great returns for the economy and well-being of communities.
And what are they doing wrong in their careers?Forgetting their passion and going into careers because of money. Most have ended up very frustrated with life.
With all the challenges that women and girls face around the world, as a millennial, what gives you hope?What gives me hope is that there are more and more governments, businesses, and civil society groups making women and girls issues a priority. People are beginning to understand why investing in women and girls is a smart move with great returns for the economy and well-being of communities.
With all the challenges that women and girls face around the world, as a millennial, what gives you hope?What gives me hope is that there are more and more governments, businesses, and civil society groups making women and girls issues a priority. People are beginning to understand why investing in women and girls is a smart move with great returns for the economy and well-being of communities.
*Tickets for the Liberty VUKA Knowledge summit are available from www.ticketpro.co.za. More information from www.vukasummit.co.za.