While much of the former president’s words impacted Pinugu positively, one of her favourite moments was when he said, “Addressing the world’s problems is a long journey and leaders need staying power.

“There are times in your work when you’ll be on the front lines making huge sacrifices and there are times when you’ll need to pull back. As long as you decide based on the trajectory where your values are telling you to go, you will never lose your way.”

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“What [Obama] said reinforced what I have always believed in and advocated for: We need to make gender equality a norm,” says Pinugu.

“When we fail to include the voices of certain members of the population, we also fail to benefit from the unique insights and diverse perspectives they offer. We need to teach gender equality from a young age and engage men and boys to be part of the fight for women’s rights. This is how I see my work in Mano Amiga intersects with She Talks Asia. One of the most effective ways we can change socio-cultural norms and influence public policy is through education and media initiatives that could inform and influence communities about the importance of equal rights.”

During Obama’s talk with Pinugu’s fellowship cohort, she recalls him stressing that we all come from different starting points and places. “He said, ‘You have to first respect them where they are before you can take them where you want them to be.’ This inspired me to hone my ability to practise patience and empathy,” says Pinugu.

“He also reminded us that people are more likely to listen to what you have to say and even change their minds if they feel that their perspective is being heard.”

“This means constantly training myself to set aside my own agenda, biases and judgements to focus on what someone is saying. More importantly, listening is not just about hearing words; it’s about understanding the emotions and intentions behind those words. Although I don’t get it right every time, a stronger commitment to lead with empathy has also helped me create a more open and collaborative culture within the organisations I run.”

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