In the village of Kakinga in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, Uganda you will find 25 year old mason and mother of one, Naume who has become a household name in her community – everyone knows her as not only the first woman to flex her muscles in construction but someone who is firmly committed to training other women to work as masons too. Today on International Women’s Day we celebrate Naume as a shining example of how women are sparking change in their communities and inspiring the next generation of women working in sanitation and waste management.
Naume’s masonry career began at an early age helping her Uncle who was also a mason, before taking part in training through our FINISH Mondial programme. Training where local people learn how to set up their own small sanitation construction businesses, enabling them to create a livelihood for themselves, while at the same time providing much-needed sanitation services to cater to the increasing demand. Fast forward six years and Naume is now well into her masonry career helping to break down taboos and paving the way for equitable participation of women in the sector. Our FINISH Mondial team had the joy of speaking with Naume in Rwankenzi whilst she was working on a new toilet.
“I feel happy and proud that I have come this far. I now have six years of experience as a mason, and during that time I have built hundreds of toilets. Meanwhile, I also work on entire houses.
If I haven’t been on a construction site for three days, I feel I get weak. I want to use my strength, I like to feel fit.
Yes, I also still train women to become bricklayers. Not every woman is suitable for that, some are afraid to stand on scaffolding, others are not strong enough. But there are plenty who do have it in them. I think that is great. Because bricklaying allows women to earn an income for themselves. And that brings independence.
Men listen well to me. At first, of course, they thought it was strange, a woman on the building site. But they know I understand my job. Everyone knows me now. I am almost famous in my region.
This all sounds very positive but getting here was not easy. My father wanted me to become a nurse. I didn’t like that at all. I have a lot of energy, and I like building things. I managed to persuade my father to let me go to technical school, but he wanted me to focus on electricity. He liked that better for a girl.
I then went to boarding school, far from my village, and I secretly changed directions there, to the bricklaying department. I liked that much better, and there is also more money to be made in it. I didn’t tell my parents about the switch. But when I finished and was living at home again, I did want to do my trade. So, I went to a construction site and asked if I could help.
That’s how I got my first real job. However, my father heard from fellow villagers they had seen me there, and he went to find out what was happening. I was shocked, of course, when I saw him walking up to me. But at that moment, he gave in. He saw me there and sighed: ‘okay, so obviously this is who you are. I’ll let it go’.
What makes me very happy is that I don’t depend on anyone. I don’t have to ask anyone for anything, I don’t have to be grateful to anyone. I make my own decisions. I am no longer with my son’s father, but I can take care of him well on my own. And I am also able to support my mother and sisters. At the same time, I very much want to continue studying. My dream is to become an engineer. I hope I’ll succeed with that. I’m saving, putting money aside.
My son is three now, he already helps me on the building site sometimes. He passes bricks to me them. Yes, I would love it if he chose this profession. But he can do something else, I won’t try to force him.”
In Uganda, over 45% of the sanitation masons trained under FINISH Mondial are female. Women and changemakers like Naume who are helping to breakdown taboos, increase economic strength and improve health. Women who are helping unlock opportunities for the next generation and ensuring cleaner healthier environments for all – now that is worth celebrating!
FINISH Mondial envisions a world where everyone is financially included and has access to safely managed sanitation and water. We work with all stakeholders along the entire sanitation and water value chain to create robust ecosystems capable of delivering sustainable and inclusive WASH services. The programme is developed and implemented by the consortium consisting of WASTE (lead partner) and Amref Health Africa. Find out more here.
Interview and photography by FINISH Mondial consortium partner Amref Health Africa.
