3 Steps to meaningfully support women and girl in the workplace

 Supporting women in the workplace isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a must-have. It isn’t just about ticking boxes or crafting eloquent diversity statements; it’s about implementing tangible actions that foster genuine inclusivity and equity.

1. Embrace transparency and build trust

Imagine navigating a labyrinth blindfolded—that’s how many women feel when workplace policies and promotion criteria are shrouded in secrecy. Transparency is the beacon that guides employees through the maze of career progression. A survey by PwC revealed that 58% of women identified greater transparency as a critical step employers can take to improve career development opportunities.

By clearly articulating expectations, promotion pathways, and evaluation criteria, organizations empower women to chart their career trajectories with confidence. Regular, candid conversations about performance and growth opportunities not only demystify the advancement process but also cultivate a culture of trust. Remember, when employees trust that the playing field is level, they’re more likely to engage wholeheartedly and aspire for leadership roles.

2. Foster robust support networks

No one climbs Mount Everest without a team, and similarly, no one scales the corporate ladder in isolation. Support networks—comprising mentors, sponsors, and peers—are the unsung heroes behind many successful careers. Women, in particular, benefit immensely from these alliances. The same PwC survey found that women who negotiate for raises and promotions, and seek out critical experiences, often achieve their career goals.

Organizations can facilitate these connections by establishing mentorship programs that pair emerging female talent with seasoned leaders. Encouraging participation in professional networks and creating platforms for women to share experiences can also dismantle barriers and open doors. After all, behind every successful woman is a tribe of other successful women who have her back—and perhaps a few good men, too.

3. Champion flexible work policies

Balancing work and personal life can sometimes feel like juggling flaming swords while riding a unicycle. For many women, especially those shouldering caregiving responsibilities, flexible work arrangements are not a luxury but a necessity. The World Economic Forum highlighted that 95% of women consider flexibility crucial to balancing career and personal/family life.

Implementing policies that support remote work, flexible hours, and parental leave can alleviate the pressure and enable women to perform at their best. Moreover, normalizing these arrangements for all employees, regardless of gender, fosters an environment where flexibility is seen as a strength rather than a concession. It’s about measuring productivity by outcomes, not hours spent at a desk. After all, a well-rested, balanced employee is far more effective than one teetering on the brink of burnout.

Mistakes online business founders should avoid

 In today’s digital age, launching an online business has never been easier. With just a website, an entrepreneur can offer services without meeting clients face-to-face, sometimes growing their business into a company that provides employment to others. However, while the internet offers limitless opportunities, many online startups fail due to common mistakes that could have been avoided.

Uwizeyimana Vivens, a young entrepreneur, founded Umurava, a platform that connects tech professionals in Rwanda and across Africa with companies looking for their expertise. After three and a half years in operation, Umurava now employs 15 full-time staff. Drawing from his experience, he shares key lessons that every online business founder should keep in mind.

1. Make sure there’s a market for your service

The first mistake many founders make is launching a business without confirming whether there’s demand for their service.

“A person may have great tech skills and want to build a business around them. But the first step is to ask: do people actually need this service? Are there enough potential customers?” Uwizeyimana explains.

“If there’s a real demand, everything else becomes easier. Investors, partners, and sponsors will be more willing to support your business. The key is to start—but only after confirming that people are willing to pay for what you’re offering.”

2. Avoid solutions that require heavy user education

Another common challenge is introducing a product that people struggle to adopt without extensive training.

“In Africa, many people are still adapting to digital solutions. You might create a great tech-based service that solves an actual problem, but if it requires users to go through a steep learning curve, you may struggle to get traction,” Uwizeyimana warns.

“Some entrepreneurs launch a product and then realize they need to spend time and money educating people on how to use it. If they don’t have the resources for that, they give up, saying, ‘The market isn’t ready.’ But the real issue is that they picked the wrong approach.”

To avoid this, he advises entrepreneurs to build solutions that are easy for users to adopt without additional investment.

3. Focus on immediate revenue streams

A major reason many startups fail is that they take too long to generate revenue.

“You need a business where customers pay for your service from the start. That’s what gives you the financial power to keep going,” he says.

“If you launch a platform but people don’t immediately see its value—or they like it but aren’t willing to pay for it—you might need to rethink your approach. Sometimes, it’s better to pivot and offer a different service that people will pay for right away.”

4. Plan for web hosting costs

Many entrepreneurs underestimate the cost of running a website, particularly as their user base grows.

“The more people use your platform, the higher your hosting costs,” Uwizeyimana explains. “If you don’t have paying customers yet, you might struggle to cover those costs, which can quickly become a major obstacle.”

“If you’re launching a software-based business, one of the key team members you need is someone who understands hosting. Some services charge Rwf 500,000 per month, but if you work with an expert, you might find options as low as Rwf 60,000.”

5. Secure the right funding—without relying on banks

Many startups fail due to lack of funding, even when they have a promising idea.

“In Rwanda, securing capital can be difficult. Most small entrepreneurs have no choice but to rely on bank loans, which can be expensive,” Uwizeyimana explains.

“But in some countries, there are organizations that invest in tech startups by providing funding in exchange for a small equity stake.”

For Rwandan entrepreneurs, he advises researching funding programs that support African startups.

“If you apply and compete successfully, you could secure up to Rwf 50 million from investors who believe in your idea. That kind of funding can help take your business to the next level.”

Launching an online business is exciting, but success requires careful planning. By ensuring there’s demand for your service, keeping solutions user-friendly, focusing on immediate revenue, managing hosting costs, and securing the right funding, entrepreneurs can avoid common pitfalls and build sustainable businesses.

6 business etiquette tips every professional should know

 Etiquette in the world of business should be at the forefront of everyone’s mind. Every now and then, I encounter a situation where business etiquette is nonexistent. It leaves me to wonder if this is due to the parties being inconsiderate or a lack of knowledge.

If it is the latter, this article will illuminate six business etiquette topics that are of utmost importance to me. Mastering these principles not only enhances personal professionalism but also fosters stronger relationships and mutual respect in the workplace.

1. Size of email attachments

One of my big pet peeves is receiving an email with a large file size. There are so many tools out there — many being free — that allow one to compress a file easily. Large files take longer to open, and many email providers have storage limits.

If I receive a file that is 10 MB or larger and I know it could have been compressed by at least 50%, I tend to think the sender either lacks technical knowledge or is being inconsiderate. If you’re unfamiliar with how to compress files, I recommend taking the time to learn. It’s an easy process and should be done whenever possible.

2. Be mindful of meetings

If you are calling a meeting, always have an agenda! One of my pet peeves is attending a meeting that has no order. In general, I am not a meeting person, and if a meeting does not accomplish the task I thought it was supposed to accomplish, I am not a happy camper.

Having a clear agenda for meetings helps us stay focused and reach our goals more effectively. It’s crucial for me that meetings begin and end at the scheduled times, as I believe it’s important to respect everyone’s time.

It’s also essential not to make others wait without reason. I once had a former colleague who mentioned that she kept people waiting to feel important. I found that to be quite arrogant and it’s definitely not a practice I would adopt.

3. Silence devices and ignore your cell phone

This one seems obvious, but unfortunately, I am often in meetings where cell phones ring by accident. People in the meeting may be distracted, on their phones, and not paying attention. Not only is this rude to the meeting host, but it also puts you at a disadvantage in regards to effectively participating in the meaning.

Remember, you can always catch up on your calls and texts after the meeting.

4. Turn on your video

Video meetings have become standard practice, whether we’re using Zoom, Teams or a different platform. I’ve found that in many of these sessions, numerous participants choose not to activate their cameras. I’d guess this is often because they’re multitasking.

Not turning on your camera is just as bad as not silencing your phone. It is disrespectful and avoidable. I have actually been in meetings where I am the only person with my camera on. I still leave my camera on, but I typically ask the other parties to turn on their cameras as well.

5. Respond promptly to communications

Occasionally, I run into people who have very poor communication skills — I really don’t know if they have poor communication skills or are just inconsiderate. Whether it is a phone call, text or email, it is important to respond promptly.

Even if you are not able to provide a full response, then acknowledging receipt is essential. Let the other person know that you have received their message, and you will get back to them as soon as possible. Showing this respect to your colleagues and customers is business etiquette that I feel is essential.

6. Proofread and double-check your work

People are busy! But being busy is not an excuse for errors. Especially when the errors can be avoided. The protocol I like to follow is to read each email twice before sending it and also confirm that the email is sent to the appropriate parties.

If you are emailing someone an attached file, open the attachment before sending it to confirm you attached the right file. Try not to rush since rushing through your work is when I often see mistakes being made. If necessary, create checklists for detailed tasks. This way, you can make sure you have done everything you need to do and that no steps are left incomplete.

Embracing good business etiquette can really elevate your professional standing. When you make an effort to stand out — for instance, by being the one to turn on your camera in video conferences when others don’t — you demonstrate commitment and engagement. By doing some of these simple things, you open the door to greater respect and increased business opportunities.

The Ectomorph's Guide to Fitness and Nutrition

As an ectomorph, you know that building muscle and gaining weight can be a challenge. Your fast metabolism and lean build can make it difficult to achieve your fitness goals. But don't worry, we've got you covered! In this blog, we'll share tips and strategies tailored specifically to ectomorphs, helping you build muscle, increase strength, and achieve your fitness goals.

Understanding Your Body Type

As an ectomorph, you tend to have a fast metabolism, which means you burn calories quickly. This can make it hard to gain weight and build muscle. However, with the right approach, you can overcome this challenge and achieve your fitness goals.

Training Tips for Ectomorphs

1. Focus on compound exercises: Compound exercises like squats, deadlifts, and bench press work multiple muscle groups at once, helping you build muscle mass more efficiently.

2. Use progressive overload: Gradually increase the weight or resistance you're lifting over time to challenge your muscles and stimulate growth.

3. Train with intensity: Push yourself to work hard and lift heavy, but don't sacrifice form for heavier weights.

4. Don't overdo cardio: While some cardio is good for overall health, too much can burn away the calories you need to build muscle.

Nutrition Tips for Ectomorphs:

1. Eat more calories: As an ectomorph, you need to consume more calories than you burn to build muscle. Focus on calorie-dense foods like lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats.

2. Prioritize protein: Protein is essential for building muscle, so make sure you're consuming enough protein-rich foods like chicken, fish, and eggs.

3. Choose complex carbohydrates:Complex carbs like brown rice, whole wheat bread, and sweet potatoes provide sustained energy and support muscle growth.

4. Healthy fats are essential: Nuts, seeds, avocados, and olive oil are all great sources of healthy fats that support hormone production and overall health.

Sample Workout Routine

Here's a sample workout routine tailored to ectomorphs:

- Monday (Chest and Triceps):

    - Barbell bench press (3 sets of 8-12 reps)

    - Incline dumbbell press (3 sets of 10-15 reps)

    - Tricep pushdown (3 sets of 12-15 reps)

- Tuesday (Back and Biceps):

    - Deadlifts (3 sets of 8-12 reps)

    - Bent-over barbell rows (3 sets of 8-12 reps)

    - Dumbbell curls (3 sets of 12-15 reps)

- Thursday (Legs):

    - Squats (3 sets of 8-12 reps)

    - Leg press (3 sets of 10-12 reps)

    - Lunges (3 sets of 12-15 reps per leg)

Briefly, an ectomorph, building muscle and gaining weight requires a strategic approach. By focusing on compound exercises, progressive overload, and proper nutrition, you can overcome the challenges of your body type and achieve your fitness goals. Remember to stay consistent, patient, and motivated, and you'll be on your way to building a stronger, leaner physique.

Additional Resources:

- Consult with a personal trainer or nutritionist to create a customized workout and meal plan tailored to your specific needs.

- Track your progress and adjust your routine as needed.

- Stay hydrated and get enough sleep to support muscle growth and recovery.

By following these tips and strategies, you can unlock your full potential as an ectomorph and achieve the physique you desire.

3 essentials for standing out as a leader

 Sylvia Ann Hewlett, in her book Executive Presence 2.0, highlights gravitas as a key element of executive presence. She points to confidence, “grace under fire,” and decisiveness as hallmarks. Those who truly embody gravitas also exude credibility, authority and the ability to create impact. They speak and act in ways that make people sit up and take notice—without resorting to chest-thumping bravado.

How can you develop gravitas, beyond “acting” confident? Here are three essentials for elevating leaders from capable to commanding:

1. Develop exceptional communication skills

Exceptional communication starts with self-awareness. How are you showing up for others, and how are they perceiving you? It’s not just about the words you say—it’s how you say them and how well you listen.

Listen first

Notice nonverbal cues—posture, eye contact, tone of voice—both yours and others’. If someone’s body language suggests confusion or hesitation, then address it promptly and empathetically.

Practice, practice, practice

Great communicators rarely wing it. Whether it’s a board presentation or an all-hands meeting, rehearse so you can speak with clarity and conviction.

Communicate with precision

Get to the point. Gravitas is lost when you wander off-track or bury your key messages in a sea of words. Aim for brevity and clarity to leave a lasting impression.

2. Be consistent.

Authenticity and integrity aren’t just buzzwords; they’re core to gravitas. Align your words and actions with your values. People need to see that you stand for something and follow through.

Make decisive choices

Even when the decision is tough, do your homework, commit, and move forward. Consistency builds trust, and trust forms the bedrock of gravitas.

Walk your talk

If you proclaim that open communication matters, then your team should see you actively encouraging feedback and sharing updates candidly. If you say teamwork is essential, be the first to credit others and collaborate.

3. Establish a strong, unique brand

Your gravitas is also rooted in your unique personal brand.

Double down on your expertise

You don’t have to know everything, but you should know your field deeply. Share insights and experiences that demonstrate your expertise.

Own your strengths

When you’re confident in your unique skill set, people gravitate (pun intended) toward your leadership. This confidence doesn’t come from arrogance; it comes from recognizing your worth and what you bring to the table.

Cultivating gravitas is about more than a firm handshake or a confident stride (though both help). It’s about honing your communication skills, demonstrating unwavering consistency, and leaning into the expertise that sets you apart. When you do these three things well, you’ll move beyond surface-level confidence to a deep, resonant presence that inspires credibility and allows you to make a real impact.

By Taufik. 

How can depression be talked about in a romantic relationship?

 Depression is one of the most common mental health challenges in the world today. In the United States alone, an estimated 8.3% of adults experience it, and its impact is felt across many other countries, including those in Africa. It often comes without warning and deeply affects a person’s life—emotionally, physically, and socially. In romantic relationships, depression can create unique challenges, especially when partners are unsure of what’s really going on beneath the surface.

Many people still hold misconceptions about depression. Some believe it’s a condition that only affects the wealthy or the lazy, but in truth, depression knows no boundaries. It can affect people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life. In relationships, it can be especially difficult to manage because emotions—often the foundation of intimacy—become fragile or hard to express. A partner who is depressed might pull away, act distant, or behave in unfamiliar ways. If their significant other doesn’t understand what’s really going on, they might assume the worst or even walk away.

That’s why it’s so important to approach the subject with care and awareness. The first step is to understand the nature of your partner’s pain. Depression can have many causes—grief, trauma, stress, physical illness, or even unresolved past experiences. Getting to know what your partner has gone through can help you support them in a more meaningful way. Talking about the root of the pain is healing in itself, but not everyone finds it easy to open up. One of the hardest parts of dealing with depression is finding someone who genuinely listens and understands. If that person is you—their partner—your love and care can offer a kind of comfort that’s difficult to find elsewhere.

Before starting the conversation, take a moment to think carefully. Ask yourself: Does my partner know they might be dealing with depression? Do they need someone to listen or is professional help necessary? What kind of support would be most helpful right now? Are there specific words or actions I should avoid so I don’t make things worse? These reflections will guide you in having a more sensitive and effective conversation.

Choosing the right time and setting is just as important as what you say. There’s no fixed hour or day to talk about difficult topics like this. What matters is the emotional space. Try to speak when your partner seems calm and open, and find a quiet, peaceful place without distractions. Make sure they know you’re there to listen without judgment. Just being present and showing that you care can mean the world to someone struggling.

Communication should go both ways. Whether you are the one experiencing depression or the one offering support, it’s important to express your own feelings too. If you’re not ready to talk, it’s okay to say so. If you are the one starting the conversation, be honest about why you’re bringing it up. Let your partner know that you’re not trying to fix them—you just want to understand and help them feel less alone. Use encouraging, gentle language, and show them they are still valued and loved. Healing becomes more possible when a person feels seen and accepted.

It also helps to keep the conversation grounded in real, supportive information. Depression can be connected to other conditions like anxiety, substance abuse, or chronic illnesses such as diabetes. Speak clearly about what you’ve noticed or experienced. This helps your partner—or yourself—consider what kind of help might be needed, whether emotional, medical, or psychological.

Depression doesn’t just affect individuals—it affects relationships. Talking openly about it can be a powerful step toward healing, and it may even bring couples closer. When love is expressed with honesty, patience, and genuine concern, it becomes a safe space where recovery can begin. If you feel like the weight is too heavy to carry alone, don’t hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional. Sometimes the most courageous thing we can do for ourselves or our partner is to ask for help.

In the end, depression doesn’t have to destroy connection—it can deepen it, if approached with empathy and intention. Start where you are, say what you can, and most importantly, be kind to yourself and the person you love.

By Taufik. 

The journey that led Capt. Ariane Mwiza to become a helicopter pilot in the RDF

 

Capt. Ariane Mwiza is a young Rwandan woman who flies helicopters for the Rwanda Air Force.

She says that becoming a pilot, especially not a civilian one, was not something that happened by chance. It was a lesson she drew from the example of the Rwandan Patriotic Army (Inkotanyi) and the courage to believe in herself, even as a young woman, that helped her achieve it.

Speaking at the Rwanda Convention held in the United States in July 2025, Capt. Mwiza revealed that it was the bravery shown by the Inkotanyi—many of whom were young people during the liberation struggle—that inspired her to become a military pilot instead of a civilian one.

When asked how she managed to secure such a position and what challenges she faced as a young woman, she said:
“What gave me strength was looking up to the heroic men and women who liberated our country and fought for it.”

“As a child, I constantly asked myself what I could do for my country. That’s when I got the idea that I, too, could join the ranks of the brave women who were part of our liberation journey.”

Capt. Mwiza explained that it was during that time that she began to think of what she could do that would be truly unique, and she was not discouraged by the fact that she was a girl.

She said, “That’s when I made up my mind that I would become a pilot—not in a civilian airline but in the military. That’s where I drew the strength that led me to choose this career.”

Capt. Mwiza pointed out that one of the challenges she faced as a female pilot was that the field is dominated by men, which often leads some women to believe they are not capable. But she committed to her path so she could inspire others who may face similar doubts.

She said, “Flying aircraft is not something many women do, and that was a challenge. I initially doubted myself, and others doubted me too. But I told myself that if I could do it, the victory wouldn’t be mine alone—it would also belong to other young girls and boys who are wondering whether their dreams can come true.”

Capt. Mwiza’s story serves as an example for other young people to pursue their dreams by learning from those who have already achieved something tangible at a young age. It is especially empowering for those considering careers typically seen as male-dominated, but in which women can also thrive.

By Taoufik.