Why Care? 45 Normalising the conversation with Sarah Mulindwa
“ So he was like, Sarah, I love what you're doing. I think there's such a big hole in the market, within Africa as a whole, but in Uganda, there's nobody talking about sexual health. There's nobody talking about relationships and dating and the perils and the trials and tribulations of all of that. And I think, you know, you can come, I think if you were to come here, you'll be able to do loads of work. So it was never something that I sort of aimed at doing. Somebody opened my eyes to the idea that that was even a possibility. Because if we think about, you know, different cultures, and especially in African cultures and a lot of Asian cultures as well, these things are completely off topic, like you don't talk about these things when it comes to sexual health, Yeah, completely taboo. And so the idea of talking about sex education in Africa it was never on the menu.”
In this episode of Why Care? host Nadia Nagamootoo speaks with Sarah Mulindwa, who has uniquely combined her background in nursing with her passion for fashion, to become an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Sarah shares her journey from the healthcare sector to the fashion industry, highlighting the challenges and rewards of such a significant career transition. She also discusses her work in sexual health education and the importance of representation and diversity in both fashion and healthcare. This episode is a must-listen for leaders wanting to find out what more they can do to make sexual health more widely spoken about, and how to make menopause part of normal conversation.
Highlights:
Sarah's Career Transition: From a dedicated nursing career to making a bold move into the fashion industry, Sarah shares the challenges and motivations behind her significant career shift.
Diversity in Fashion: Sarah discusses the need for greater representation in the fashion industry and how her work is helping to break down barriers.
Empowering Through Sexual Health: Sarah shares her work in sexual health education, emphasising the importance of accessible information and resources.
The Intersection of Fashion and Health: Discover how Sarah integrates her healthcare background with her passion for fashion to drive change and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Leading with Compassion: Sarah emphasises the importance of compassion in leadership, both in healthcare and fashion, and how it has guided her journey.
Key Takeaways
Sarah’s journey highlights the power of reinvention and the impact of bringing diverse perspectives to different industries.
Her transition from nursing to fashion illustrates the importance of following one’s passion while also addressing industry-wide issues like diversity and inclusion.
Emphasises the significance of integrating past experiences into new careers to create unique and impactful contributions.
Promoting diversity and sexual health requires both awareness and action, driven by compassionate leadership.
Sarah’s work in sexual health education showcases the need for accessible and inclusive resources to empower individuals.
The conversation underscores the role of leaders in fostering environments where diversity and inclusion can thrive.
Sarah’s journey highlights the importance of addressing both career transitions and health challenges like menopause in the workplace.
Menopause is often overlooked in professional settings, and Sarah emphasises the need for more open conversations and supportive policies.
By advocating for inclusive health education, Sarah encourages leaders to create environments where women can thrive through all stages of life, including menopause.
Guest Bio
Sarah Mulindwa is a former nurse turned fashion industry professional and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. With a background in healthcare, Sarah brings a unique perspective to her work in fashion, focusing on breaking down barriers and promoting representation. She is also deeply involved in sexual health education, striving to make information and resources more accessible to all. Sarah's journey is a testament to the power of reinvention and the importance of compassion in leadership.
Links
The charity Sarah supports - Reach A Hand Uganda (a youth-centred organisation focusing on youth empowerment programs with emphasis on Livelihoods & Skills Development, Behavior Change Communication, Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights, and HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention): https://reachahand.org/
Avenir Consulting: https://linktr.ee/avenirconsultingservices
