By Seyi Babalola
The Executive Director of Development Impacts on Pathfinders Initiative, Glory Amara Brendo-Otuojo, has advocated for more investment in women’s and girls’ education and job opportunities as part of the endeavor to position women for leadership roles.
Breada-Otuojo stated this recently during an International Women’s Day webinar hosted by the Centre for 21st Century Issues.
According to her, key financial and resource shortages for education, skill development, and mentoring limit young women’s capacity to reach their full leadership potential.
She stated that more women are rising to positions of leadership throughout the world and in historically male-dominated industries; nonetheless, women continue to be underrepresented in numerous sectors internationally, particularly in Nigeria, where there remains a notable imbalance in gender appointments.
She noted that less than 10% of CEOs worldwide are women, yet almost half of the workforce comprises women in Nigeria.”.
“Women only own 20% of enterprises in the formal sector and only 11.7% of board directors in Nigeria are female. Women are disadvantaged by unequal access to the resources needed to become effective leaders
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, enhancing creativity and innovation,” she said.
Mrs. Morenike Omaiboje, Board Member and Director of the Programme of the Women Consortium of Nigeria (WOCOM), urged all levels of government to adopt the 35% affirmative action policy for women’s involvement in governance.
She stated that women in leadership should guarantee that women’s quotas are carefully followed to maintain balance—enough with the all-male affair in political decision-making.
Ms. Titi Ngozi Akosa, Executive Director of the Centre for the 21st Century, exhorted women in her speech to continue advocating for a better society for women.
She stated that women are frequently the victims of climate change crises and other societal misfortunes, therefore we must continue to speak up and make our voices heard to create a better future for women.
