Overcoming Obstacles: Annastazia's Journey to Self-Discovery
From the humble shores of Ukerewe, an island settled in Lake Victoria, emerges a story of resilience and triumph. Annastazia's journey, though fraught with hardship, defies the odds and illuminates the power of the human spirit to rise above adversity.
Born into a world of struggle after the loss of her father and the loss of her family's inheritance to her mother's in-laws, Annastazia's path was not paved with privilege. As the fifth child of a widowed mother, society never expected her to ascend to the heights she stands upon today.
Her earliest memories are etched with the sting of prejudice and discrimination. Punished by her first-grade teacher for the sin of being left-handed, Annastazia endured the taunts of her peers, labeling her as 'the one who writes with a hand of filth.' The torment of her childhood extended beyond the classroom, as she grappled with bullying for her tomboy appearance, often clad in her brother's hand-me-downs due to the family's financial struggles.
Throughout her schooling, Annastazia battled unknown illnesses, casting shadows over her academic pursuits. Yet, despite the challenges, she pressed on, driven by a deep-seated desire to advocate for the rights of widows, inspired by her mother's hardships.
Denied the opportunity to pursue her dream of becoming a lawyer due to academic limitations, Annastazia redirected her path, earning a degree in mass communication. Her journey took a detour when her aspirations of becoming a broadcaster were dashed by a lecturer's harsh critique of her voice. Undeterred, she pivoted towards becoming a communication expert, determined to make her mark in the field.
Navigating societal pressures to conform to traditional gender roles, Annastazia embraced marriage and motherhood while continuing to pursue her professional ambitions with the encouragement of her husband. Balancing the demands of family, community expectations, and personal dreams proved to be a formidable task, yet she persisted with unwavering determination.
Amidst the trials of her youth, Annastazia faced the harrowing reality of gender-based violence, surviving multiple rape attempts. In Kagera, where her family relocated, she narrowly escaped being forcibly married through a practice known as 'okulyehya,' where young girls are abducted and wed without consent, forever severed from their families.
Now, in her 40s, Annastazia reflects on her journey with wisdom and grace. She understands that true beauty lies in feminine humility and strength. She eschews entitlement, believing that true success comes from uplifting others and walking with integrity.
Despite the world's challenges, Annastazia remains steadfast in her belief that living a life of purity and integrity is the key to true happiness and fulfillment. Her story serves as a beacon of hope for women everywhere, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of unwavering determination.
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Today Annastazia Rugaba is the Director for Advocacy and Engagement at Twaweza East Africa. She is also a strategic advisor to Institutions offering expertise and innovative solutions to project management, stakeholder management as well as communication & advocacy strategies. In her free time, she supports her partner in leading BTX (T) Limited – a Consulting, Development, and Advisory Firm in East Africa; doing consultancies in areas of Communication and Advocacy, Project Management, Digital Business Strategies, Business Development, Product Development and Digital financial linkage.
Annastazia, a former Chevening Scholar, holds a Master’s in Media Practice for International Development from the University of Sussex in the UK. She earned her first degree in Mass Communication from the University of Dar es Salaam and a Theology BA in Christian Leadership and Community Development from New Life Leadership College. Additionally, she has completed the Certificates of Financial Journalism course from Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa and a certificate in Media Development in a Democratic Framework from the International Training Program (ITP) SIDA Sweden.
She has worked with The President's Delivery Bureau (PDB) leading the Communications Strategy & Monitoring role around the Big Results Now (BRN) delivery mechanism. She also worked with HakiElimu as a Manager in the Media Unit, a Co-Founder of Media Development and Research LTD, a Lucky Magazine Managing Editor, Envirocare as a Mass Communication & Field Officer, UNDP as an Intern, and UPENDO RADIO FM as a journalist trainee.
Annastazia has undertaken several consultancies as an individual and in consortium; with the World Bank, European Union, International Labour Organization (ILO), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GiZ), Restless Development, SOS Children's Villages, the Foundation for Civil Society in Tanzania, Internews, Tanzania Media Foundation (TMF), Capacity Building Centre (CBLI), Tanzania Philanthropy Organization (TPO), FCS Trust Limited, Tanzania Editors Forum (TEF), Jamii Forums, Equality for Growth (EFG), Tanzania Creative Industry Network, The association of Tanzania Government Communications Officers (TAGCO), Public Relations Society of Tanzania (PRST) and Tanzania Gender Networking Program (TGNP).
She has also supported the development of Communication and advocacy Strategies for the Tanzania Development Vision 2050, the President’s Office - Ethics Secretariat, Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA), Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), Land Tenure Improvement Project Ministry of Lands Housing and Human Settlements, Media Council of Tanzania, Tanzania Coalition on Debt and Development (TCDD) and the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties in Tanzania.
Annastazia has served in several leadership roles, held several board member positions, and participated in several local and international training in Asia, Africa, South America, and Europe as a trainee and a trainer. She has produced documentaries, published books, run newspaper columns, started movements and campaigns, written papers, OpEDs, and articles. She is an influential trailblazer, a thought leader, hard-working, and loves working in a team.