The Executive Director of Development lmpact On Pathfinders Initiative, Glory Amara Brendo-Otuojo has called for more investment in women and girls’ education and female employment opportunities as part of the effort towards positioning women for leadership positions.
Breada-Otuojo said this recently at the International Women’s Day Webinar organised by the Centre for 21st Century issues.
According to her, critical gaps in funding and resources for education, skills development, and mentorship impact the ability of young women to realize their full potential as leaders.
She said that many women are rising to positions of leadership around the world and in traditionally male-dominated industries; however, women are still underrepresented in many sectors globally, and in Nigeria in particular, there is a pronounced imbalance in gender appointments.
She added that investing in women will help in social advancement, economic prosperity, and sustained economic growth are impossible without the empowerment of women.
“Organizations with more gender diversity in senior leadership positions are more profitable, successful, and sustainable.”
“Women are one of the most powerful forces for social change; they are the backbone of any society. Women are the force that keeps families together and communities strong, enhances creativity and innovation,” she said.
On her part, the Board Member and Director of the Programme with Women Consortium of Nigeria (WOCOM), Mrs Morenike Omaiboje, called on all governments at all levels to implement the 35% affirmative action for women’s participation in governance.
She said that women in governance should ensure women’s quotas are strictly filled to maintain a balance in decision-making.
“Women should be guided to play very active roles on the decision-making table regarding matters facing them”, she said.
She further noted that the government should address gender inequality strictly from the human rights angle and the gender dimensional angle.
In her speech, the Executive Director of the Centre for 21st Century, Titi Akosa, charges women to continue advocating for a better world for women.
She said that women are always at the receiving end of climate change crises and other societal misdemeanors; thus, we must continue to speak out and make our voices count for a better world for women.