“I love the fact that HR gives me the opportunity to make people’s working lives better, even in a small way,” says Connie Mokoma, Human Resources Business Partner at the Faculty of Health Sciences. In this interview, she discusses her job path and suggests ways of furthering gender equality.

Tell us about yourself

I was born and raised in Daveyton, a township in Ekurhuleni. I am the eldest of three children. My mother was widowed at a young age and had to raise me and my brothers alone, with the assistance of my grandparents. My childhood was surrounded by a very loving and supportive family, who strongly believe that life is short and must be celebrated, and that education is the key to liberation. At the former University of Bophuthatswana, now known as the University of the North-West, I studied for a Bachelor of Public Administration. Then I did a B. Admin Honours in Industrial Psychology at Unisa, a few other HR-related certificates, and recently a management development programme.

What inspired you to choose your field of study/ profession?

I love working in HR because it helps improve people’s professional lives as well as their livelihoods. It’s a rewarding career where you are impactful in the workplace. HR is ever-changing and constantly growing so I am always learning new skills, processes, procedures, and regulations. I’m passionate about people and enjoy building new relationships. I love the fact that HR gives me the opportunity to make people’s working lives better, even in a small way. I have had the honour of working with some of the most dedicated HR professionals in the field and look forward to coming to see what they are going to do to solve a problem, provide a resource, or improve a process to the benefit of our customers and staff. One of my biggest priorities is to ensure that every employee feels valued, appreciated, and happy to work for the organisation.

What challenges have you overcome to pursue this career?

The journey has not been easy, as sometimes you will feel like you are working hard but the work never ends. You also get those situations where you need to just stop whatever you are doing and attend to an employee who just rocks up into your offices and bursts into tears because they are emotional about their personal situations at home and they just needed to talk. Attending a few HR training courses helped a lot in shaping my HR career and keeping up with the current HR trends. Engaging with my more experienced colleagues also helps a lot. The other thing that I have learned in my HR career is that if I make a mistake, I need to own up and ensure that it’s corrected on time, as it can have a negative impact on a person’s life. From an HR perspective, I am reminded to “Be the employee you want to work with”.

In your experience, what obstacles do women often face in the academic or professional sphere, and how can these challenges be addressed?

Women may face gender bias and stereotypes; lack of representation in leadership roles; challenges with finding or maintaining work/life balance; the gender pay gap persists in many industries and countries; women may experience various forms of harassment and discrimination, which can create hostile work environments and hinder their professional growth; and women may have limited access to networking opportunities, which are crucial for career advancement and professional growth.

How can we address these challenges?

Governments can implement policies and laws to promote gender equality, equal pay, and protect against discrimination and harassment. In the workplace we can encourage diverse hiring practices and provide mentorship and sponsorships; support work/life balance by offering flexible work arrangements and parental leave policies; provide training to employees and managers about gender sensitivity and unconscious bias; create leadership development programmes specifically targeted at women; and we can help create networking opportunities by promoting inclusivity and diversity at conferences and other networking events.

Gender equality and empowerment are significant aspects of Women’s Month. How can we ensure that women are equally represented and empowered in leadership positions at the University?

By taking a comprehensive approach and implementing strategies including gender-neutral hiring practices, leadership development programmes targeted at women, encouraging mentorship and sponsorship programmes, flexible work policies, and reaffirming institutional commitment, among other strategies, the University can create an environment where women are equally represented and empowered in leadership positions, contributing to a more diverse and inclusive academic community. Women’s Month can serve as a reminder and catalyst for the University to renew its efforts towards gender equality and empowerment.

Are there any specific projects or research areas that you think are essential to address gender-related issues or improve the status of women in society?

The government needs to continue to implement policies that promote women's health, education, and economic empowerment. There needs to be a greater focus on gender sensitisation and education at all levels of society. Women's education is particularly important because it is linked to improved health outcomes, increased economic growth, and poverty reduction. We can also address gender-related issues by, among other strategies, ensuring more women and girls’ voices are included in global and national decision-making; ending the practice of child marriage and addressing sexual harassment of girls; making education more gender-sensitive; empowering more mothers through education; and increasing participation of women in local, regional, and national legislation.

As we celebrate Women’s Month, what message would you like to send to young women aspiring to pursue higher education or careers in academia?

Women in or considering academia must also fight the self-doubt that comes with centuries of institutional bias and patterns of speech that reinforce dated social expectations. My advice would be: Don't give up. Be wise and persistent so that nothing prevents you from achieving your goals. Because of who you are, you are unique.