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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Vice President Kashim Shettima, his counterpart in Liberia, Jewel Taylor, and the Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRazaq AbdulRahman, are among the speakers for 7th edition of the Voice of Women Conference and Awards (VOW2023) themed “Repositioning Women for Greater Impact” scheduled for Wednesday 25 October 2023 in Abuja.
In a statement by CEO Women Radio 91.7FM, and convener of conference, Toun Sonaiya, this year’s theme, “Repositioning Women for Greater Impact,” encapsulates the core ethos of VOW2023.
According to her, “The conference is a rallying cry to reshape societal norms and institutional frameworks to allow women to take on more significant roles in governance and leadership.
“It is a call to action that recognises the immense potential within women and underscores the necessity of their empowerment for the betterment of the nation.0
Sonaiya, explained that VOW2023 will bring together thought leaders, policymakers, advocates and other stakeholders from across Africa to the one-day conference to share knowledge and find innovative solutions to gender imbalance in leadership and governance.
She said: “Although several policies, and advocacies are in place to promote gender balance, huge gaps still exist in economic empowerment and leadership. This is why we have invited speakers from Namibia, Kenya, Namibia and Liberia and host country Nigeria to share practical steps and strategies on Women’s Inclusion, Economic Empowerment, Ownership ane Effective Allocation of Financial resources with an outcome to develop a strategic policy document to improve women’s inclusion and leadership in Nigeria.”
Other speakers at VOW 2023 are Deputy Finance Minister Namibia, Hon Maureen Hinda Mbuende, Commissioner of National Gender and Equality Kenya, Dr. Margaret Karungaru, Executive Director Sustainable Gender Action Initiative, Mufuliat Fijabi and Chairperson, Bisi Fayemi.
Others are Chairperson Nigerian Governor’s Wives Forum, Olufolake Abdulrazaq, First Lady Ogun State, Bamidele Abiodun, First Lady Imo State, Chioma Uzodinma, First Lady Ebonyi State, Mary Nwifiru and First Lady Kebbi State, Zainab Nasir.
They will talk on solidarity collaboartions amongst the 36 First ladies on their initiatives to reposition women in their respective states for leadership and development.
She said: “VOW2023 is leveraging the collective wisdom of experts and practitioners from various African countries, including Namibia, Kenya, Liberia, Rwanda, and host country Nigeria. The aim is to have each of them share practical steps taken both individually and by their governments to amplify women’s voices in leadership.
“Women have consistently proven their ability to excel in various fields, from entrepreneurship to corporate leadership. However, a staggering number of women continue to face economic disparities that hinder their progress. VOW2023 seeks to address these disparities and unveil strategies to unlock the economic potential of women.
“The conference will also host a side event where Ministers from the four African countries will meet with their Nigerian counterparts to further discuss and chat a way forward on how to rectify the persistent gender imbalance in leadership and governance in Africa.”
VOW 2023 Conference and Awards is an initiative of Women Radio 91.7, Nigeria’s only Radio Station for Women and their families, in partnership with Voice of Women Empowerment Foundation with support from the MacArthur Foundation and Federal Inland Revenue Service and partners including WRAPA, Sterling Bank, Lagos Inland Reveue Service, AWWDI.
