Stakeholders urge women to embrace excellence

Women have been urged to aim for excellence in their various professions.  Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Africa Women, Innovative and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF), Irene Ochem, made the call at the celebration of the 2020 edition of the International Women’s Day, with the event theme: “A Decade of Economic Emancipation of Women in Africa 2020-2030” in Lagos.
 
She mentioned some African countries that hadmade significant progress in women representation in parliaments and decision-making, stating that Nigeria is still far behind.
She urged women to support each other in getting into elective positions in the overall struggle to achieve gender equality.
 
“In fact, the whole essence and meaning of gender parity would be totally lost if it can even minimally be alluded that a woman attained a certain position in her career or profession not because of her capacities and capabilities but because of her gender”, Ochem said.
 
She said AWIEF is a platform that assists global thought leaders, industry experts, academics, development organisations and investors gather to dialogue, connect and network to boost Africa’s enterpreneurship ecosystem.
 
Speaking also, Carl Michael Grans from the Embassy of Sweden to Nigeria, who was represented by Ms. Nylander, the deputy ambassador spoke passionately about how Swedish women fought for gender equality through advocacy, pressure education and the support government to eliminate the unequal struggle in her country. 

She urged Nigeria government to support the alarming number of out of school girls, while the women should not rest on their guards but continue to push for the emancipation of women in positions.