As the world prepares to mark International Women’s Day on 8 March, finance leaders pause to reflect on the strides women have made in the profession. Ahead of the day, Lake Turkana Wind Power CFO Alice Wathika, Liquid Intelligent Technologies CFO Shime Baligira, and FINCA Uganda CFO Robinah Siima share their perspectives on how far the sector has come and what remains to be done.
For many women in the finance profession, the journey towards leadership is rarely a straight path. Lake Turkana Wind Power CFO Alice Wathika notes that the cost of growth in the past was conforming to rigid moulds that required women to prioritise being assertive over collaborating with their peers. But over time, she has witnessed a transformation.
“Today, leadership is evolving to embrace diverse styles, and there’s growing recognition that emotional intelligence, adaptability, and a people-centric approach are just as critical as technical expertise,” she says.
Although she believes the tide is changing, Alice maintains that much still needs to be done to ensure women not only take on executive roles but also thrive in them. In her view, the profession must move beyond merely accepting diverse leadership styles to actively appreciating and valuing them. She also advocates for mentorship as a driver of change.
“Women shouldn’t have to prove themselves twice as much to be taken seriously. Many organisations have mentorship programmes, but what truly accelerates women’s success is having senior leaders actively advocate for them - recommending them for key projects, promotions, and leadership opportunities. In my career, having champions who believed in my abilities and gave me visibility made all the difference. If we want women to thrive in executive roles, we need to create environments where they are given the same access to high-impact opportunities as their male counterparts,” she says.
But Liquid Intelligent Technologies CFO Shime Baligira presents a different perspective based on her experience in Rwanda, which she says has made gender inclusivity a priority.
“I'm happy to be working in a country that promotes women. In the 14 years I've been in Rwanda, I haven't experienced any bias against my gender in finance roles. I thank God and my country for that. I've never felt disadvantaged because of my gender. From my first job in Rwanda in 2012 to now, the roles I've gone for have been based on skills and experience, not gender, ” she says
Shime views the gender imbalance in the profession as the result of women’s reluctance to pursue careers in finance rather than systemic discrimination. In her view, the solution lies in shifting the mindsets of young women.
“In Rwanda, diversity hasn't been an issue, but there's a small pool of female candidates. When interviewing for finance roles, you might get ten CVs from men and one from a woman who's not even sure she wants the role. I think women in leadership owe it to the younger generation to show them the truth about the profession. It's hard, but nothing easy is worth doing. It's been done by millions of women before, and it will continue to be done. I plan to speak to young girls and show them that they can be accountants,” she says.
For FINCA Uganda CFO Robinah Siima, who is the first female CFO of the microfinance institution, the key is to move beyond creating opportunities for women and develop targeted policies and actions to support their progress. She also advocates for fostering work environments that allow women to thrive.
“There's every need to be intentional, especially when it comes to women. If you're recruiting ten people, what's the percentage of ladies? But then there is a need, even when you put a structure, to push for its implementation and execution,” she says.
Despite the lingering challenges, these finance leaders encourage young women in finance to be confident and take up space.
“In finance, confidence is just as important as competence. Don’t wait for permission to lead. Put yourself forward for challenges, share your ideas, and advocate for your own career growth. Also, build a strong network. Surround yourself with people who inspire and challenge you, and never underestimate the power of continuous learning. Leadership isn’t about knowing everything. It’s about having the courage to navigate the unknown,” Alice says.
