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  • Olasimbo Sojinrin : Fighting for gender equality part of my DNA

    Olasimbo Sojinrin : Fighting for gender equality part of my DNA

    Olasimbo Sojinrin is the Chief Operating Officer for Solar Sister and President of the Women Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON), founded by her late mother, a Lawyer and activist, Chief (Mrs) Bisi Olateru Olagbegi. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she talks about mentorship by her mum, working on the trafficking of women and children, human rights, gender equality, and more.

    ET’S talk about Solar Sister. How did the initiative start?

    The feminist bit has always been in me, being the daughter of Chief (Mrs) Bisi Olateru Olagbegi. I grew up in a very Feminist household, so fighting for gender equality was just part of my DNA. But in school, I have always loved the environment, loved geography and Solar Sister presented the opportunity to be able to do both gender and Environment studies. As the name implies, the Solar side represents Clean Energy technology and the Sister represents Women’s Economic empowerment. It is a marriage of the two and we have seen this opportunity in Nigeria where women can now be at the forefront of fighting and providing solutions in their communities. So, they don’t need to wait for the government or wait for when electricity come. They can sell Solar lamps or Solar products to members of their communities and they no longer have to stay in the dark. They no longer have to read with Candles or lanterns. They can use a clean light and they don’t have to cook with their smoky three-stone fire. They can now cook with a Clean stove. So, it is really helping livelihood and it is providing beyond just the light and other benefits to the communities.

    Tell us about the Women’s Consortium of Nigeria.

    It was birthed after the Beijing Conference in 1995. She went with the Nigerian delegation to talk about women’s rights and to represent the voices of Women in Nigeria.  So, she started WOCON when she came back. It was the Pioneer organisation talking about issues such as trafficking in women, a lot of women, and child rights issues.

    She advocated for this and was also very vocal for women’s political advancement, recognising that women need to be in power for a lot of things.  Many of the gender inequality issues that we are facing now were things she gave attention to. 

    So, a lot of the work that WOCON did and continues to do is really around promoting the rights of women and children.  In the political sphere, I am talking about trafficking in persons, sex trafficking, children trafficking, and ensuring that people are educated and that there are safety nets for vulnerable Women and children who are faced with these issues.

    Read Also: Nova Merchant Bank seeks gender equality

    Did you follow your mum to Beijing then?

    No. I did not! But, I used to go with her to different Conferences and that was what picked my interest in Constitutional development, even as far back as 1996.

    I remember my mum and I co-writing a proposal to ILO (International Labour Organisation) then for 250 child domestic workers to help rescue and rehabilitate them into society.  I was the Youth Director for WOCON and I used to lead and coordinate all the Youth activities of the Organisation. 

    Your mum was also a Lawyer, could this be why she was very vocal?

    Yes. She was a legal practitioner and that obviously made her very interested in justice, rights, and gender specifically her passion.  That is where I got my passion from, just watching her, and seeing her being very vocal.  In fact, she even represented Nigeria at the UN International Women’s Conference to talk about gender. We lived it.

    She also had the African identity in her aso oke suits, is this something you also identify with?

    I now use the Ankara tops. Most times, you see me wearing our Ankara and traditional fabrics.  That is how I really grew up.

    What are some of the things that you share in common with your mum?

    I think for me fundamentally is our values, recognising the voice of women, and knowing the gender inequalities that exist. Not just knowing about it but doing something to correct that, being very focal, being interested, and having an active role in actually correcting the imbalance. I think those are some of the things that I have picked up over the years.

    What are your memories of her last days?

    On her very last day, WOCON had an event at the border, where we were advocating for illegal migration, educating them about the ills of illegal migration and trafficking.  And she had been ill towards the last days. She had cancer and around that time it was already terminal.  But, even on the last day, she was still able to give some pointers as to what to do, how to coordinate the event, who was doing what, who was speaking, and who to connect with.

    So, she was someone I would say worked to the very last day. On her tombstone, you will see here lies a woman who worked, and served her life to protect the lives of children and women.

    She mentored a lot of women.  How would you describe these women and what they miss about her?

    She was one of the early feminists in the country. I see a lot of women who are now leaders in their own Organisations, who worked with her or whom she mentored and that has always been the pride of our family, our organisation, and the fact that the work has continued.

    A lot of them are women in the space, some of them have held political positions, and led International organisations and it is a proud moment for us when we see these women in society.

    What are you doing now about the trafficking of women?

    WOCON is very involved with NAPTIP. My mum was part of the negotiation for starting the Agency, looking out for the needs of the Agency. Even after the establishment of the Agency, we worked very closely with them. If there is going to be a rescue effort, they would invite us to be part of it, to come along with them, go to the border to do the checks. We offer counseling services to date at the office.  Here Women can come in for free legal counsel and we also do psycho-social counselling as well. So, that is still ongoing.  We are part of several Coalitions, especially children. We are still very involved in the fight against trafficking and a number of shelters have come up since she started her work. And just being able to refer people to sister organisations to people who provide those services.  Also, we have done a lot of tracking for victims’ or survivors’ families. As well as reuniting survivors with their families.

    When you are not doing all of this, how do you relax?

    It is usually just spending quality time with the family. I am married and have two children. Most times, I am on the road and any available time I am just at home unwinding with the family.

    One last message for Nigerian women?

    We can’t keep quiet in the face of injustice. As women, mothers, and custodians of our society we really need to advocate for our rights, for the privilege of every woman. Not just us, even if we are comfortable, we need to think about our sisters who are vulnerable and living in difficult situations.

  • US promotes gender equality in Africa

    The United States Consul General, John Bray, has said that his country has invested millions of dollars to advance gender equality across sub-Saharan Africa.

    He stated that this was done through sponsorship of activities that promote political and economic opportunities for women, access to health and education services and prevention or response to gender-based violence.

    He spoke on Monday at the Silverbird Galleria, Lagos during the commemoration of this year’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science organised by Public Affairs  Section United States Consulate-General in partnership with Vision 2020 Youth Empowerment and Restoration Initiative. The event with the tag Girls in STEM Day Out attracted about 150 students and leading female technology leaders.

    A movie, Hidden Figures,which tells the story of three female African-American mathematicians who successfully broke racial and gender barriers to contribute to America’s race to the moon was screened in order to inspire the girls and encourage them.

    Bray who spoke on the need to promote access and participation of women and girls in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, training and research, noted that mastering technologies such as these will be key to many for job opportunities in the future.

    Citing the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation report, he said that only about 30 per cent of female students around the world choose science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-related fields in higher education.

    Bray, who said that the world is rapidly changing, charged the girls to be confident in their intelligence and demonstrate the determination and drive to succeed in any career path that they choose adding that they should be challenged themselves, learn more about successful women in STEM fields, and draw inspiration from them. “The world is rapidly changing, thanks to technology and innovations that were unimaginable not long ago.  I think you have heard of many of them: driverless vehicles, drones, lasers, artificial intelligence, robotics, and nanotechnology.  If you haven’t heard of them, I recommend that you start reading about them,” he added.

    Applauding the girls interests in science and technology, Bray said that today’s achievement in STEM-related fields is a key building block for any country’s economic success. He called on friends and allies of Nigeria to assist Nigeria to succeed in these areas.

    He maintained that U.S. government is convinced that when barriers to the participation of women and girls in the STEM fields are removed, women do better, families do better, countries do better, and the world does better. “Whether at home or abroad, promoting women in the STEM fields is a priority of the U.S. government, he added

  • We need clear road map on gender equality, says Obaseki

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has identified violence against women, domestic abuse, rape and commercial sexual exploitation as part of systemic barriers to women’s economic, political and social equality. He said in these troubled times, when the world becomes more unpredictable and chaotic, the rights of women and girls are being severely eroded.

    Governor Obaseki, who spoke at a four-day international gender conference organised by the Centre for  Gender  Studies, Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State, with the theme: Implementing and sustaining gender mainstreaming in a globalized world, assured that empowering women and girls is the only way to protect their rights and make sure they can realise their full potentials. “That is why we should all be committed to increasing women’s participation in all facets of our social and economic existence. We need a clear road map, backed by distinct benchmarks, to achieve gender parity across systems. We must move from ambition to action,” he said. The Governor was represented by his Special Adviser on Gender Issues Mrs Efosa Uyigue.

    He observed that the conference came at a significant phase of the nation’s democratic experience during which “our institutions are not only being tested, but also in which our collective resolve to provide greater latitude for relevant gender inclusion and participation is under scrutiny.” He noted that while strong advocacy has ensured that women are part of, or benefit from governance, education policies, community empowerment, budgetary processes, civil rights and overall development, the cold reception encountered by the gender and equal opportunities bill at the National Assembly is sufficient indication of the significant barriers still on the path to gender equality in Nigeria.

    The Governor recalled that it was in response to this that his administration made inclusion of women in government, policy making and legislation a matter of singular and committed focus.

    Rector, Auchi Polytechnic, Dr. M. S Jimah, who was represented by Deputy Rector (Administration) Engineer Zubair, said cultural obstacles that impeded the advancement of women are now increasingly being dismantled in Nigeria, adding that the  girl child now has a near equal access to education as the male child.

    He added that women are now found in board rooms of corporate organisations, in virtually all professions holding forth. “In politics, the women are coming. More than ever before, women are commissioners, ministers, legislators and are taking shots at the presidency of the country. In Africa, Ellen Sirleaf of Liberia is on record as the first female president of an African country. In the early 20th Century and up until the later part of it, these attainments by women were unthinkable,” he said.

    According to him, this goes to show that advocacy for opportunities for women and placing them in mainstream of national and international events is working and effective.

    Director, Centre for Gender Studies, Auchi Polytechnic, Dr. Helen Uhuanmwagho, said the centre is open to collaborate with relevant agencies in carrying out its activities. She stressed that in order to be better positioned to carry out its activities the centre welcomes individuals, groups, and organisations that will furnish it with a library, counselling room, consultancy room, tools for advocacy, among others.

    The keynote speaker, Dr. S. Eshiotse, replaced Kwame Nyamekye, a lawyer, who was initially scheduled, while Prof Agatha Eguavoen presented the lead paper.

    In a communiqué at the close of the four-day gathering, its organisers resolved that as a matter of urgency, gender issues should be addressed through appropriate legislations while conscious efforts must be made in bringing up children to reflect gender equality within the premise of fairness that eliminates segregation and superiority among sexes. It also recommended that women should be involved in mainstreaming and all areas of policy formulation.

    The communiqué also stated that ‘there should be collaborative effort  between government and non-governmental agencies in formulating and sustaining gender mainstreaming in a globalised world;

    • Cultural impediments militating against gender should be removed with a view to building a culture of tolerance;
    • The imbalance and gap created as it relates to gender issues should be bridged through policies and legislation;
    • There should be a fair and level playing ground for both male and female folks to grow without creating cultural superiority that gives undue advantage to either of the sexes.
    • There should be continuous programmes that will aid the promotion of gender issues by stakeholders in all walks of life.
    • Acts of gender discrimination should be identified and appropriately sanctioned. Some thought provoking papers were presented by scholars from within Nigeria and the Diaspora. They included What Men can do, Women can do better: A Review of Art works of Selected Female Artists, Effective Empowerment of Women for Political Participation, Strategies for achieving Gender equality on career choice and Manpower Development in Nigeria, Gender Inequality and Women participation in Nigeria: Edo State in focus, Strategies for effective Empowerment of Women for Political Participation and Psychological Considerations in gender involvement in the use of ICT: The Nigeria Perspective.

    The conference, which honoured three distinguished Nigerians; Senator Francis Alimikhena (for human capital development), Justice Constance Momoh and Mrs. Aisha Yesufu for their selfless services to humanity, was attended by Dr. Stephen  Aigbepue, Dr. Lucky Ojo, Mrs Blessing Ojo, Dr. Bamidele Agbadua, Dr. Josephine Akhigbe, Mr. Omoregie Kester, Dr. Dan Osariyekemwen and Engineer Edith Oyati. Others were representatives of the military, police, traditional rulers, religious organisations and civil society groups.

     

  • Auchi Poly hosts conference on gender equality

    Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, will hold an international conference at the school’s main auditorium from January 21 to 24, 2019.

    With the theme: Implementing and sustaining gender mainstreaming in a globalised world,  it is being coordinated by the institution’s Centre for Gender Studies.

    Participants at the conference will address sub-themes, such as strategies for ending poverty in all forms, strategies for making our cities and human settlements safe, inclusive and sustainable, strategies for effective implementation of international action programme on climate change, strategies for achieving gender equality and strategies for economic empowerment of women and girls, among others.

    The four-day conference will feature a keynote address by Dr. Kwame Nyamekhe, a lead paper by Prof. Agatha Eguavoen of Faculty of Social Sciences, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State and technical session and gala night.

    The Rector Auchi Polytechnic, Dr. M. S Jimah, is chief host.

     

  • Taking gender equality in workplace to next level

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) regulation to get 40 per cent of women to top management positions in banks is yet to be realised. The gender equality gap is also seen in manufacturing, telecom, insurance sectors. Access Bank Plc has hosted the Nigerian Sustainable Banking Principles (NSBP) gender empowerment session in Lagos where the bank’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Herbert Wigwe and other stakeholders spoke on why more women should be at top management positions of banks and other sectors of the economy, reports COLLINS NWEZE.

    IT is no longer in doubt that women control a large portion of global wealth. From oil and gas, banking and fashion to agriculture and education, women have proven their mettle in the business world.

    Notwithstanding the fact that women-led businesses constitute a large part of banks’ balance sheets and stream of income, big corporations in banking, telecom and even insurance sectors are not giving women their rightful place in board positions. This runs contrary to the Nigerian Sustainable Banking Principles (NSBP) which requires that companies promote gender equality in workplace.

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has continued to review banks’ compliance with its regulatory directive that lenders give 40 per cent of top management positions to women in line with the NSBP guidelines.

    CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele has promised to support any bank that implement the NSBP guidlines to give women their rightful positions in the workplace.

    According to industry statistics, women occupies only 22 per cent of the top positions in banks. The data are worse in other sectors.

    Already, there is a sense of agreement that women on boards should be increased for economic growth sustainability. The banking sector made commitment to increase the critical mass of women in decision-making process, 40 per cent of top management positions and 30 per cent of board positions should be filled by women as far back as 2014.

    Even in the United States (U.S.), there are problems with women being represented on the boards of corporations. Even European Union (EU) has made it compulsory, but there are structural impediments to getting women into corporate leadership positions.

    The CBN has taken proactive steps and concrete actions to promote gender equality and women economic empowerment.

    To support the NSBP project, Access Bank Plc hosted the NSBP gender empowerment session in Lagos. Speaking at the event, the bank’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Herbert Wigwe, said the NSBP has come a long way but regretted that many institutions are not implementing it.

    He said that women remain one of the best work-forces and always make great impact in establishments.

    Wigwe said: “I have worked with both men and women, but women bosses do better than men. For instance, the Chairman of Access Bank has helped drive transformation in the bank. The NSBP is about giving women their rightful place in the workplace.

    “We need to place women where they should be. Women have more responsibility than men. We want other sectors like manufacturing, telecom among others to embrace gender equality in work-place”.

    According to the Access Bank chief, women must be economically empowered.

    He said that without first addressing social concerns such as gender disparity and women empowerment, economic and environmental goals and overall sustainable development will be difficult to achieve.

    Wigwe explained that just like in every part of the country, there are qualified people to fill any position, it also follows that for companies also, there are qualified women to fill any kind of position.

    “The NSBP has come a long way but there are many institutions that have not adhered to the level of compliance desired. It is about giving women their rightful place. We need to place women where they should be,” he said.

    The CBN said that since the launch of the sustainability banking principles and accompanying guidelines, it has developed, exposed and approved a reporting template to enable it measure performance on sustainability issues by the industry to show commitment and be transparent.

    Besides, new research sheds light on a side of women’s entrepreneurship that is not yet fully understood which is that firms started, owned and ran by women are less likely to trade internationally than those owned by men.

    However, the World Bank is already giving this issue a lot of attention, which may spur further actions to close the gap.

    Continuing, Wigwe said the “NSBP has come a long way from where we started from five years ago. But there are still several institutions that have not attained the level of compliance that we would expect particularly as it pertains to gender equality.

    “When we talk about gender equality, my sense is not about having an equal number of men to women, but it is about giving women their rightful place. There are just as many great women and competent women to put in any position as men.

    He added that these disparities occur across the entire world and some of us who have been great champions for gender equality for several years before the banking sustainability principle started.

    “The fact that you have more and more of our colleagues join us we can place women where they truly should be for me is something that would extremely gladden me.

    “From a professional standpoint, for a gender that we know is as good as the other, we must accommodate them for several things which they do and which we don’t have.

    “So, the female professional who takes time off to have children why must they have a separate pay when they are responsible for creating the next generation anyway so why can’t institutions start to think of ways to support the female gender.”

    “Today’s deliberation is about strengthening it as far as financial institutions are concerned but I would urge us to take it to a different level. Let us get people in manufacturing and other fields to basically embrace what is good for the entire world which is about gender equality.

    Speaking at the NSBP conference, CBN Director, Capacity Building, Mrs. Chizoba Mojekwu, said that regulation on gender equality in workplace was not working.

    Mrs. Mojekwu, who spoke on the theme: “Gender balanced leadership: How to create inclusive cultures that drive innovation” said the CBN’s regulation on getting more women to top positions in banks has not worked well. She said that women in top position needed to support the younger generation in the workplace.

    Continuing, she said that women equality in the workplace will help in growing the economy.

    Speaking further, she said that women needed to be promoted in banks to enable them climb higher in the management ladder. She said that government support is also needed to ensure that women are given their rightful places in the workplace.

    “Banks need to help in achieving sustainable banking banking practices by reviewing their goals and seeing where they are not meeting the target.

    “We need to stand in the shoes of women. Many women are sexually harassed in the work-place and not much is done to punish the perpetrators. We may never get 50/50 women/men representation in the workplace but we need to measure the progress we are making. No one thinks about hiring blind women. The workplace environment was designed to get the men to the top.

    “Organisations are still largely patriarchal, and regulations do not work. That is what we know because if regulations were working, there is a regulation of a minimum of 30 per cent on a board. Why is it not happening in some organisations?

    “So, my view is that we are dealing with a major transformational issue more than a technical challenge and that is an adaptive challenge.”

    She also added: “We should also talk about hiring blind people and people with auditory and physically challenged, so it is important we drive conversations that are holding women back in organisations.”

    FirstBank Chairperson, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, said that both men and women talents are needed to drive the organisation to the desired position. “The unit of the society is the family and the family problem becomes part of the company’s problem. Women think differently from men, and the companies needs both men and women to thrive.

    She pointed out that: “It is about firstly understanding and educating the populace, educating the workforce and educating the leaders in the different environment. And then being deliberate in creating an enabling environment not just talk but in real terms.

    “For girls, who have babies, they want to work but if they can’t solve the problems of their babies, you have already distracted them. So, for companies that create crèche, that helps. It is about having a better understanding of the life and things that influence the ability of each gender to deliver and creating an environment to support that.”

    Women empowerment

    Access Bank Plc has also organised “Power breakfast with W”, where Wigwe met with leading women entrepreneurs for a feedback on the lender’s services. He promised to ensure that women-led businesses not only get credit, but also learn how to build sustainable businesses that can be passed to the next generation.

    During a breakfast meeting which was held at the bank’s headquarters in Lagos, attended by women entrepreneurs, Wigwe said the lender would continue to support women-led businesses in funding, training, and provision of tailor-made banking services.

    The bank chief also disclosed that lending to women presented little or no risks to his bank as they have over the years paid back their loans.

    Wigwe said the lender has not recorded any bad loan from the several loans it granted to women-owned businesses, adding that the bank started the ‘W’ Initiative to empower women and women-owned businesses to succeed.

    He said: “When women are involved, things get better. The ‘W’ Initiative is to empower and inspire women. We do not even have one per cent bad loans for supporting women. We are committed to ensuring that women succeed in their businesses”.

    He said the meeting was to enable the lender listen to the women and identify their business needs to meet them.

    Wigwe also discussed financial literacy for women, training and workshops for start-ups, business succession plan and business sustainability.

    He said: “Allow your children to pursue their passion. There is no guaranty that your children will be interested in your line of business. All you need is to train them to succeed in their areas of passion.”

     

     

     

  • Gender equality: An important economic rationale

    Gender equality: An important economic rationale

    Gender equality simply means a world where women and girls enjoy the same rights and have the same opportunities as men and boys.

    Statistics obtained from United Nations as well as an independent survey conducted by the reporter in the process of compiling this report shows that one out of three women around the world have been beaten, coerced into sex and deprived of formal education.

    A pseudonym respondent under the name Peace Ajayi said her coercer claimed that her silence meant “yes” because she didn’t say “no” outright.
    Another respondent who chose to be anonymous highlighted an emotional threat as one of the methods coercers adopt. They say things like “if you don’t have sex with me, I’ll have sex with someone else,” or “I’ll break up with you if you don’t have sex with me.”

    Recently conducted independent survey by the reporter where 27 respondents took part shows that 63% which makes up 17 respondents believe that the most common gender stereotypes in Nigeria is that women’s education end in the kitchen and one out of three has experienced gender discrimination and/or sexual harassment.

    In a statement obtained from Adeoye Quadri, an electrical engineer he said women are very good at up keep of the home and should be assigned for the role.

    Another respondent is a Lagos based pharmacist, who identify himself as Ugwu, he said “it’s the unfavourable economic situation of the country that made some women to work in an effort to support the family to meet it’s financial needs otherwise women should be a full-time worker in the kitchen and at home generally.

    The future of adolescent girls is not so bright

    It is estimated that worldwide, 62 million girls’ half of whom are adolescent are not in school. The disparity in gender in education remains quite real today worldwide. In Sub-Saharan Africa, 78% of girls will never enter school, 4% have left school, 24% will enter late. Looking at this data, one would see that the future of adolescent girls looks bleak.

    Girls and young women who are victims of gender based violence can be limited in their educational opportunities and success, which can alter their capacity to earn viable income. UNESCO data shows that young women make up two-thirds of the global illiterate population. About 27 million live in sub-Saharan Africa.

    According to United Nation Millennium development goal, gender equality can help achieve higher levels of economic growth through women empowerment and development by getting rid of gender stereotyping, gender bias, gender based violence and also educating women and girls because educated women are healthier and earn higher incomes that can lift their households out of poverty while the benefits are been transferred to their children.

    We need more teachers.
    7.6 million teachers are needed in Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2016, data source from financial watch website on assessment of teacher needs by country shows that Nigeria would be in need of over 1.3million teachers in the next 6 years, 12% of the global total. The statistics shows that the biggest challenge remains in Nigeria. Education funding over the years have been poor. Nigeria’s education sector has again been allocated much lower than the 26 percent of national budget recommended by the United Nations.

    The global organisation recommended the budgetary benchmark to enable nations adequately cater for rising education demands. But in the proposal presented to the National Assembly, President Muhammadu Buhari allocated only 7.04% of the 8.6 trillion 2018 budget to the education.

    The allocation is lower than the 7.4 percent the government gave the education sector in the of N7.4 trillion 2017 budget. The teaching profession is unattractive, salary of teachers are poor. And when they retire, their pensions take too long to get to them.
    The most essential step to take is making the need for gender equality as part of education and training. The public should be educated on gender inequality and gender based violence. General awareness is minimal and that is why it must be discussed openly.

    Approximately 56% making up 15 respondents out of a total of 27 who took part in an independent survey conducted by the reporter believe that gender equality should be included as part of training and education as a way of creating awareness on the need for eradication of gender inequality.

    Women empowerment according to MDG will also close the gap between men and women in entrepreneurship.

    Women and girls, must be able to share their truths as survivors of targeted gender stereotyping inflicted upon them because of their gender. Real fears about social stigma and isolation can only be overcome through the broad recognition that violence against women and girls is tragically normalized. By not giving the survivors of gender stereotyping emotional affirmation and non-judgemental support, it allow their offenders to operate freely and with impunity therefore they must be advocated for.

    Chart 1: Statistics from countries who believe that the role of women in the society is to be good wives and mother
    Source: Ananya, Quartz

    “This research was made possible with support from Code for Nigeria via the Naija Data Ladies Programme”

  • UK pledges support for Nigerian women involvement in politics

    UK pledges support for Nigerian women involvement in politics

    ….pushes for passage of gender equality bill in Nigeria

    The efforts to increase women participation in politics in the country has received the boost of the British government.

    The UK Special envoy on gender equality, Joanna Roper, said her country was ready to support Nigeria women to be actively involve in politics.

    Roper said that she had met with the Senate President Bukola Saraki who she said pledged support on the passage of the gender Bill by the National Assembly.

    She said seeing more women in politics in Nigeria was a priority to the UK government.

    ”Nigeria and UK will work together on gender equality and others.

    ”Twelve states in Nigeria have had their national plan on gender equality and this shows that UK and Nigeria can work together on it,” she said.

    According to her the British government is keen in the area of women involving in political participation in Nigeria.

    She said that the British government would help in the area of implementation of national action plan designed for it.

    ”This could be easily done through the national plan at the state level, and a lot of efforts had been made in this regard.

    ”I think conversation has started over it because that is where we could make impact it is a work in progress.

    ”Where we will be more concern is the area of female political participation and helping women to be part of mediation conflict resolution,” she said.

    She added that ”when women are involved in peace negotiation there is 35 per cent more likely to last 50 years or more 

    ”I think everybody recognise the importance of women in negotiation,” she said.

    She said that UK budgeted a total 250 million pounds for conflict, security and stability.

    The fund according to her is what the British government made available for security and conflict resolution, 

    Roper said that she had earlier met with the senate president, Bukola Saraki and had pledged to support the passage of gender equality bill.

  • Elumelu draws attention to entrepreneurship, gender equality

    Elumelu draws attention to entrepreneurship, gender equality

    Chairman, Heirs Holdings and Founder, The Tony Elumelu Foundation, Tony O. Elumelu, has identified entrepreneurship and gender equality as two critical areas that need urgent attention to drive the inclusive growth and economic diversification in emerging continents like Africa.

    He joined global private sector leaders at the Future Investment Initiative Conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to discuss ways to achieve economic diversification in dynamic economies. The conference was organised by the Public Investment Fund.

    Speaking on the panel of speakers including Mary Erdoes, CEO, JPMorgan Asset Management, United States; Oh Joon Kwon, Chairman, POSCO, South Korea; Frédéric Oudéa, CEO, Société Générale, France; Harvey Schwartz, President & Co-COO, Goldman Sachs, USA; and Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman & CEO, DP World, UAE,  Elumelu pointed out the importance of supporting women-run businesses to achieve inclusive growth.

    He stated that these businesses empower a critical population of the economy. “Female businesses create more benefits for the society,” he said.

    An advocate of a new model for entrepreneurship in Africa, through Africapitalism, Elumelu said the philosophy plays important in powering Africa out of poverty. “Africapitalism is the intersection between prosperity and social wealth – doing good while making profit. It is a realisation that the private sector has a role to play in the social and economic diversification. We need to prioritise the young ones and prioritise SMEs if we are to achieve the much spoke about economic diversification,” he said.

    Also speaking, Bin Sulayem identified entrepreneurship as a key driver of today’s economy. “When we encourage entrepreneurship, we encourage ideas,” he said.

    Elumelu has demonstrated the potential of his Africapitalism model through his Foundation’s flagship Programme¯The Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme¯where he endowed 10,000 African entrepreneurs with $100million over a 10-year period with the goal of achieving 10million jobs within the period. Already, the Programme has celebrated its third cohort of Fellows bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 3,000 since its inception in 2015, creating an impact will significantly transform the African continent.

    “Entrepreneurship is a bottom-up approach to economic diversification. It is about trying to encourage our youths to be more enterprising, ultimately realising that they will drive the diversification process,” Elumelu said.

  • Visualisation: Women’s Day – Gender wage gap

    Visualisation: Women’s Day – Gender wage gap

  • Feminism: An overrated cause

    Feminism: An overrated cause