Dr. Claudine Hingston: Adequate information clears confusion
Having a doctorate degree in Gender studies, Dr Claudine Hingston has been involved in causes that promote women walking in purpose. She is a true definition and testament that an educated female is an empowered female.
Omote Ro Dhe could not resist her and all she is all about and giving that we got chitty-chatty. Read excerpts from the exciting and explosive interview below:
Can you share more about your journey from being a Senior Information Officer at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in Sierra Leone to becoming an academic with a focus on gender studies in South Africa? How did your experiences shape your academic and professional trajectory?
I started as an Information officer at the Ministry. To progress in my career, I undertook a one-year Diploma in Mass Communication programme at the University of Sierra Leone to back up my first degree which was a Bachelor of Arts. Juggling work, study, and family life, I not only completed the course but also got a distinction.
I was invited thereafter by the department to teach part-time at the department. Better still, upon attaining the diploma, I was promoted to Senior Information Officer at the Ministry. At some point, I decided to pursue a Masters in Gender Studies degree and so enrolled for the course at the University. This also involved juggling work, family, and studies but I was determined.
I am happy to state that I completed with a distinction as well. At this point, I left Sierra Leone for the United Kingdom with my family, and we settled in Leeds where I started working for the Leeds City Council. Seven years later, our family (my husband, children, and myself) relocated to Durban, South Africa and I later enrolled for a PhD in Gender Studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Fast forward, I graduated in 2015 and started working as an academic. My experiences of living in three countries, working in different institutions and with various groups of people helped to shape my trajectory path. For instance, had I not relocated to South Africa and interacted with researchers and scholars, I would maybe not have pursued a PhD qualification and gone fully into academia.
Your areas of research interest include gender, women’s empowerment, leadership, feminism, media, and Africanism. Could you elaborate on a specific research project or article that you are particularly proud of, and how it reflects your passion and commitment to these topics?
I am very proud of all the research articles that I have written and have published. Choosing just one therefore is hard. I will however choose one of my recently published articles titled - Sexism and Language: An Analysis of Sexist Idiomatic Expressions in Sierra Leone’s Lingua Franca.
Most times, people use sexist language without even being aware as it is so normalized. Thus in this article, I looked at idiomatic expressions in Krio (the lingua franca of Sierra Leone) and examined how some of them embody sexism that promotes discrimination, objectification, devaluation and violation of women.
This article is also an awareness call to both Sierra Leoneans and non-Sierra Leoneans to be more mindful of their use of language. This article reflects my passion for advocating for women's and girl’s empowerment by calling attention to factors that hinders it.
In most of my research articles, I tend to examine structures and practices that stifle women and explore ways in which women’s lives can be enhanced. I cannot help but also mention one of my older publications –- When Religion Becomes Violent: an exploration of gender relations among Nigerian migrants in Durban, South Africa. This is also an article I am very proud of as it examines how religion can be used to disempower women.
You have been actively engaged in mentoring girls and women to help them achieve their dreams. Can you share a specific success story or memorable moment from your mentorship experiences that highlights the impact you've had on someone's life and aspirations?
I would like to share the story of Esther. I met Esther at a hospitality and catering institution in Freetown, Sierra Leone. I was invited to give a motivational talk to the students (all women).
During my interaction with the students, I got to know more about Esther. She was struggling in many ways, unable to pay her fees and on the verge of dropping out. I requested mentoring her and she agreed. Fast forward, I was determined that she should not drop out.
Even though I was not financially strong myself, I reached out to several friends and managed to raise enough money to pay her fees and cover other financial needs. I was also there for her every step of the way, supporting her in many other ways and ensuring that she focused on her studies. Esther eventually graduated and luckily for me, I was on holiday in Freetown during that period.
I was therefore able to attend the graduation. In fact, I was the guest speaker for the graduation. When Esther came on stage to receive her award, it was a very proud moment for me. Esther is now working in the hospitality department of a renowned hotel in Freetown and she is doing very well. She is also aspiring towards further studies. I am very proud of her.
Education, especially for girls, seems to be a central theme in your advocacy. Could you share more about your passion for girls' education and any specific initiatives or projects you're involved in to promote educational opportunities for girls, both in South Africa and Sierra Leone?
My passion for girls’ education stems from my observation while growing up as a young girl in Sierra Leone. I observed that girls and women with little or no education lived a poorer quality of life and were often abused and exploited as compared to their educated counterparts.
Thus, I grew up with the realization that education was critical for women and made a personal commitment to advocate for girls’ education. I started by going around in my community and speaking to parents about the need to send girls to school and support them in their educational journey.
One thing that I cannot stand to see is a girl not going to school and because of this, I have found myself personally bearing the financial costs for the education of several girls. I also believe that girls should go as far as they want in education and this has also led me to render financial assistance in this venture.
However, as I do not always have the financial capacity, I often ask for help from friends and family to help me support a girl to either go to school or undertake tertiary studies.
I am affiliated with several organisations that promote girls' empowerment both in Sierra Leone and South Africa and work with them in promoting and supporting the education of girls.
I believe girls that for girls to thrive in academia, they need more than just financial assistance. They need to be well-informed and knowledgeable on certain topics and also develop critical skills.
I therefore conduct workshops for girls on menstrual hygiene, sexual health, confidence building, leadership, public speaking and other relevant topics. I also offer mentoring services, motivational sessions and empowerment workshops to various girls/women’s institutions and organisations at no cost.
You have recently received a Humanitarian Goodwill Award. What does this recognition mean to you, and how do you envision leveraging this acknowledgement to further your advocacy for women and girls?
The award serves as a source of inspiration to me, and it has reinforced my commitment to the values that underpin humanitarian work. It inspires me to continue to make positive impacts in the lives of others.
In short, it serves as a catalyst for me to work towards a more compassionate and equitable world. With such recognition, the only way is FORWARD and I will use it as a motivator to further my advocacy for women and girls.
Success is relative, what does it mean to you?
For me, the phrase -success is relative means that success is based on personal or societal expectations.
Thus, success is relative because it is subjected to expectations which may differ in other contexts.
My understanding also extends to the understanding that success is relative because it is benchmarked against failure.
What advice do you have for young girls pursuing purpose but seem confused if they are on the right part?
It is common for young girls to be confused about whether they are on the right part. It is therefore important for them to find a mentor who will be able to suitably advise them.
Mentorship is important for growth. I will also advise that they seek career guidance and counselling. This will help them to determine if they are on the right path.
Finally, I will advise that they learn to make informed decisions. This means that they have to research and find out as much information on the path they have taken or want to take. When armed with adequate information, it can assist in clearing the confusion.
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