By Kenneth Onuoha
A total of 500 girls and women in Ebonyi State have been trained on best ways to maximise their business potentials in a post COVID-19 world.
The empowerment programme, “2021 Socio-cultural and Economic Virtual Convention” was part of programmes to mark the International Women’s Day, with the theme ‘Women in Leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world’.
It was organised by a coalition of organisations including the KACHEM Young Initiative and Special Needs Initiative for Growth.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of KACHEM Young Initiative, Ms Nkechinyere Melva Uguru, the programme was designed to instill a set of principles around business, public life and technology, offering guidance on how to empower girls, women and community leaders in the workplace, community, social and cultural gatherings so that they get to stimulate local and global development that is truly sustainable in a post COVID-19 world.
It had virtual representation of over 500 participants via Zoom Technologies, YouTube and Facebook LIVE Stream, and over 50 onsite participants in Ebonyi and Lagos States.
The Ebonyi State onsite event began at 2:00pm WAT at the state’s Women Development Centre with insite engagement activities led by Ms Chioma Margaret Ali – the KYI Literacy Director.
“The Ebonyi State onsite event began at 2:00pm WAT at the state’s Women Development Center with insite engagement activities led by Ms Chioma Margaret Ali- the KYI Literacy Director. In order to create an inclusive environment to leave no one behind, two American Sign Language Interpreters in the persons of Mr. Tobi Omimakinde and Mrs. Oluwatoyin Oludipupo signed on behalf of persons with hearing difficulties to create an inclusive program for information sharing”, she explained.
Uguru, in her presentation, noted the need to create a more equal future that ensures equity in leadership, policy making, and economic participation for women and girls.
She urged participants to have an open mind and leverage the training provided at the convention and experiences shared by experts and global thought leaders at the convention and be propelled to challenge the odds against women and girls, to cause a paradigm shift in leadership, policies and towards economic empowerment for them.
Racheal Inegbedion, the Founder and Executive Director of the Special Needs for National Growth, further emphasised the essence of this programme which is to learn to transform the habits of women, girls and leaders, change laws, take action and inspire each other through the virtual programme to create a world without gender-based discrimination in all spheres of social and economic life.
Stephanie Adesanya, Director of the American Corner Hosted at Co-Creation Hub stated that the programme will broaden women’s political, economic, social and cultural opportunities and independence to scale their career goals and contribute socially and economically to their respective communities.
The Consul General of the United States Consulate, Claire Pierangelo, affirmed the support of the United States Mission in Nigeria to strengthen the capacity of more women and girls into economic roles and opportunities.
She stated further, “US Mission in Nigeria is making its contribution to the advancement of women and girls in Nigeria through several programs that it runs, some specifically targeted at a larger representation of women.”
Mr. Alexandre Borges Gomes, also one of the keynote speakers, highlighted the contribution of the European Union in Nigeria to assisting in tackling gender gaps and increasing female representation in all positions of power.