Last Friday (08) in Johannesburg, Graça Machel, President of the Foundation for Community Development (FDC), was honored with the Forbes Women Africa 2024 Career Award, in recognition of her role in defending the rights of women and children at an international level.
This article gives us the opportunity to share valuable insights from Graça Machel’s various interventions, especially with regard to activism and the labor market. Throughout various seminars and public interventions, Graça Machel has passed on lessons that not only impact vulnerable women and children, marginalized and at-risk groups, and victims of conflict, but also offer valuable guidance for young people seeking professional development.
Below, we highlight five promising areas in the job market where young people can find opportunities for sustainable development and a better world:
1. Health
Graça Machel frequently addresses issues related to HIV and female sexual health. Health professionals, psychologists and sociologists are highly sought after by NGOs and embassies for various health-related projects. This is an excellent opportunity for a career change with a significant impact on social causes.
2. Advocacy and Awareness
Graça Machel stresses the importance of more people advocating for organizations and social causes in our context. Advocacy work involves defending social causes through legal action and public policy, educating and informing society about relevant issues such as human rights, the environment, health and education. Opportunities for professionals in this field are being widely advertised by various NGOs and embassies.
3. Gender and Female Empowerment
Graça Machel’s speech highlights the need for strong action on issues of gender-based violence and the improvement of gender policies in organizations. Communication and journalism professionals, among others, can find work in large NGOs, associations, embassies and large companies.
4. Environment and Climate Change
Graça Machel is an outstanding advocate in this area, having received important awards for her work. Working in NGOs and impacting society is a great opportunity for professionals interested in this field.
5. Economics and Business
Graça Machel has widely promoted the importance of this area. During the Women in the Economy Forum, it became clear that professionals in areas such as banking, accounting, finance, entrepreneurship and business can be agents of social change through their involvement in commercial activities. Several institutions are looking for these professionals to boost women’s economic development.
So, which of these areas do you identify with? What are you missing to start your career change project?
Brief Profile
Former first lady of Mozambique and president of The Graça Machel Trust, she is also co-founder and vice-president of The Elders, an independent group of global leaders who work together for peace, justice and human rights.
Read more: Graça Machel Trust
By: Juraci Langa e Simão Djedje
