When 19-year-old Liane Karemera discovered that her passion was in photography, she was determined to explore her dream in the usually male-dominated area.

Today, she works with one of the local media houses after a successful internship stint. She is living her professional dream, but it has not always been a smooth ride with issues like the long hours and working on weekends. 

"It’s not easy coming out of school and joining the working industry when one has no experience.  There are also other challenges we meet as new young females at work, however I do my best to stay focused on my job despite the distractions,” she adds.

Karemera is just one of the many young girls who are struggling to find their place in the employment world.

Tesi Murerwa is a 25-year-old graduate who was working in one of the upscale cafeteria as she searched for a better job.

Having to deal with male clientele was her biggest challenge since most were interested in being served and also getting her phone number.

"You are dealing with clients with different interests. Some are interested in just the service you are providing but there are others who give you a tip and a business card because they want to meet you after working hours. It’s hard because you have to keep calm since its part of the job to be polite to all clients,” she says.

How can girls soldier on?

Hope Annet Segutunga recently graduated from university and is a retail manager at Avlon Rwanda. She says that though it is challenging for young women to join the employment world and immediately be treated as equals, it is important to look out for things that may attract the wrong kind of attention.  She also calls on girls to support each other and report any sort of harassment that may arise at work.

"It is important that girls first of all learn how to respect themselves and their bodies. Indecent dressing for instance attracts the wrong people to you. We also need to support each other as women in workplaces and encourage whoever is feeling harassed to report this to the necessary authorities,” she said.

 22-year-old Samantha Uwase is a finance student at the University of Rwanda College of Business and Economics. She is also the Head of Procurement at New Hope Electronics. She says that while it is tough for everyone fresh from university to join the working class, it is even tougher for girls.

 "I did not know anything when I just joined the company but my willingness to learn impressed my employers and they kept promoting me. As girls, we need to learn to be independent, ignore intimidation and stay focused because we can always do better,” she says.

Nadia Uwamahoro the Founder of Gira ICT agrees that the employment field is no playground for fresh graduates especially young girls. She however advises girls to work on their strengths and aim for the top.

 "Girls have to be shrewd enough at their work places. They also need to be able and willing to learn and take up challenges for them to become better. They need to know their rights because things like taking up a job by sleeping with their bosses can never last. They should focus on their willingness and ability to improve their skills other than their bodies,” Uwamahoro says.

Are employers helping?

Paul Bitariho is a businessman who runs an IT company. He says that young female interns meet lots of challenges but if given more time and guidance, they can find a solid place in the corporate world.

He says that female interns have the potential of becoming good employees apart from those who only care about the money and not the job itself.

"I am saying this out of experience. Some of the girls that I have worked with were honest with both their superiors and the clients too. Women do not only have the ability of excelling but they are also really good with customer care which is very essential in any business,” he says.

On the issue of sexual harassment, Bitariho says that when one is working with young women, they need to be careful not to have an intimate relationship with them otherwise the consequences will not only affect them both but the business will suffer too.

Way forward

Annet Mukiga, a gender activist says that young women who leave school and join the working field should endeavor to have a positive attitude and aim for the greatest.

"They should let themselves enjoy the working life; they can create support networks (women safe spaces) within companies they are working with so that they support each other. They can also come up with platforms and forums where the young and old generation can meet and share experiences and lessons on how to for example overcome whatever obstacles they may be facing,” she says.

She adds that setting goals and commitments periodically and later doing an evaluation can really help in building up one’s strengths.

With sexual harassment, Mukiga says that women must equip themselves with enough information about their rights.

"Let us take initiative to start things that can help us deal with harassment at work, inform yourself on policies to deal with harassment, don’t compromise, carry yourself with dignity, deliver to your best and demand respect,” she says.

How can harassment be curbed in the workplace?

I think female interns should be given training prior to joining the workforce. This should also be done for all the other employees so that people first of all understand how this vice can affect young girls and affect their career journey.

Annet Imbabazi, Businesswoman

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Young girls face many challenges at work but I think if employers put in place strict policies on harassment that are actually active and not just for formality, this will help a big deal especially on the side of girls.

Vestine Uwamahoro, procurement officer:

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Girls too should know what they want and not do things that may encourage this. They should draw a line clearly indicating only a professional relationship with their fellow employees and bosses.

Norah Mutesi, student

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Employers should endeavor to respect their positions and not abuse their power while dealing with their employees to avoid compromising their (employees) performance.

Petronillar Tumuhairwe, intern