What advice would you give your 21-year-old self?
Our focus on leading women in social enterprise continues, as we interview female changemakers from around the world about hiring diverse talent, issues to protest about, and advising their younger selves. This week, we hear from women in India, Malawi, Portugal and Indonesia
Uma Prajapati
Founder, Upasana Integral Design
India
Should the social enterprise and impact investment world focus on hiring more diverse talent?
Yes, of course, social enterprise and impact investment is the new future, we must get the best and most diverse talent for the sector.
In the early 20th century, British suffragettes campaigning for votes for women chained themselves to the railings of parliament. What one issue would you do this for?
This is a very interesting question which is also contextual, so my concerns are very connected to what is happening in India. I believe sustainability should not be a next “fad”; we must take it seriously. I believe in creative solutions and design to improve life. And I want policies to protect people working with their hands. Farmers’ suicides in the cotton belt in India led me to go organic as a fashion brand – making fashion work for people and planet.
What advice would you give to your 21-year-old self?
Reflect deeply on this word “care”. Care deeply – it is the seed to sustainability – and follow your dream, that is the unique wealth you have!
Karen Chinkwita
Founder, Jubilee Enterprises
Malawi
Should the social enterprise and impact investment world focus on hiring more diverse talent?
Yes. Diversity leads to a lot more creativity and innovation being found in one organisation – and how can we be social if we are not accommodating to the people that we work with every day?
In the early 20th century, British suffragettes campaigning for votes for women chained themselves to the railings of parliament. What one issue would you do this for?
Chaining myself outside the British Parliament it would definitely be about more partnerships. To encourage an environment where social enterprises in the UK worked with local partners to make a difference. Partnerships will create an opportunity for valuable growth and exchange on services, capacity and culture. If it were the Malawian parliament it would be the “L” word: legislation. I would definitely chain myself for a comfortable segment in our Non-Governmental Organisations Act that allows social enterprises to be legislated for, with a clear mandate on our roles, and our compliance towards the Solicitor General, Revenue Authority and the NGO Board.
What advice would you give to your 21-year-old self?
It is much better to give than to receive, service is much more rewarding (intrinsically and externally) than profit. While you give, do receive! Sustainable and ‘grow-able’ impact goes further than a one-off forum.
Ana Umbelino
Councillor, Torres Vedras City Council
Portugal
Should the social enterprise and impact investment world focus on hiring more diverse talent?
Diversity is undoubtedly the most interesting feature of human systems. I believe that crossing different talents and pluralistic visions enhances collective creativity and fosters the emergence of new solutions. That is actually a key factor for innovation in a world marked by complexity and fluidity.
In the early 20th century, British suffragettes campaigning for votes for women chained themselves to the railings of parliament. What one issue would you do this for?
I would chain myself to the railings of parliament to fight against social inequalities. According to the last Oxfam Report (2018), 82% of the wealth generated last year went to the richest 1% of the global population, while the 3.7 billion people who make up the poorest half of the world saw no increase in their wealth. That is intolerable. It is urgent to change the status quo that keeps this outrageous social landscape.
What advice would you give to your 21-year-old self?
“Be realistic – demand the impossible.” (I honestly don't like to give advice. That sounds quite paternalistic!)
Helianti Hilman
Founder, Javara
Indonesia
Should the social enterprise and impact investment world focus on hiring more diverse talent?
Definitely, a team with a complementary set of skills and diverse background will enable the social enterprise and impact investment world to have a more rounded perspective and effectively achieve its goals. It is also important to also include talents and skills that come from a totally opposite perspective to challenge our own views and give better credibility to managing differences.
In the early 20th century, British suffragettes campaigning for votes for women chained themselves to the railings of parliament. What one issue would you do this for?
Stop sacrificing farmers and smallholder food producers purely for the sake of food security, political agendas, economic development and other policies that see them as the collateral damage of policy.
What advice would you give to your 21-year-old self?
Jump into becoming an entrepreneur sooner and stick with it through hard times. I was working as consultant for too long before shifting into becoming a social entrepreneur. I wish I had started younger.
This article was first published in Pioneers Post Quarterly, issue 11. For more content on the inspiring women in UK social enterprise, head to the NatWest WISE100: Leading women in social enterprise collection.
Header photo: Gratisography
