As a crucial step towards nation-building, African countries have been urged to reaffirm their commitment towards women empowerment.A former, Rector, Yaba College of Technology, Obafemi Omokungbe, made this appeal in his keynote speech at the African Women Foundation for Nation Building’s (WINBAFRICA) 10th anniversary celebration, which was held at the Alliance Francaise, Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos.
As a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Omokungbe, matched his lobbying efforts with WINBAFRICA’s larger push for women’s empowerment in Africa.
This initiative sought to enhance women’s access to healthcare, education, economic opportunity, and political engagement. He said that the goals of this comprehensive initiative were to remove gender inequity, protect women’s rights, and foster a social environment that allows women to flourish.
Omokungbe asserted that achieving women empowerment in Africa required an all-encompassing strategy involving the political, economic, medical, and educational spheres. He said African nations couldfoster a more equal society in which women might realise their full potential and make valuable contributions to the advancement of their country by investing in women’s empowerment.
He said: “These renewed commitments would require collaboration and partnership among governments, Civil Society, the Private sector and International Organizations. They include the implementation of programmes and initiatives to promote women’s entrepreneurship, access to credit, land ownership, and participation in the formal economy including targeted support for women in agriculture and small businesses.”
Commitment to increasing women’s representation in political leadership and decision-making positions through measures such as quotas, training programmes, and support for women’s political participation at all levels of government and comprehensive strategies to prevent and address gender-based violence including legal reforms, support services for survivors and campaigns to change social norms and attitudes that perpetuate violence against women.”
President of WINBAFRICA, Dr Bukola Bello-Jaiyesimi, said that the event with the theme, “Bridging the Gap: Celebrating a decade of Nation Building ‘’ was designed to celebrate the legacy and advancement of women’s courses.
“Nation-building is an ongoing effort carried out by women of every generation. As we reflect on our accomplishments over the past decade, we remain committed to empowering future generations in all sectors of the economy. We provide tuition, teaching equipment, and other resources to young girls and boys to show them that we care about their education and that they are the ones who will continue this effort. Our ultimate goal is to promote unity and peace and to inspire hope for a better future,” she presented.
One of the highlights of the commemorative event was a school debate competition between Steady Steps School in Lekki and Bomak International Schools in Surulere, Lagos. Both schools advanced to the final round, where Victoria Osademe of Bomak International Schools, Surulere, Lagos won the WINBAFRICA Young Nation Builders’ Trophy (WYNBT) and Steady Steps School, Lekki emerged as the best speaker of the day.
During the WINBAFRICA Business Roundtable, senior secondary students of Bomak International College in Surulere, Lagos discussed Environmental Responsibility. Additionally, 20 young girls and boys were beneficiaries of the WINBAFRICA scholarship program at the event.
WINBAFRICA is a non-profit organization that implements various projects and interventions including Education First Series, Project Sapphire, Orphanage Challenge, Project Back-to-School, WINBAFRICA Monthly Round Table, WINBAFRICA Food Bank, and Monthly Newsletter production.
