By Rose Oranye
Worldwide Organization for Women Africa Incorporated (WOW Africa), Saturday, held the third edition of the WOW Conversation, tagged 'The WOW Conversation ... 003' at Hilton Leisure Hotel, Awka, Anambra State.
The annual conference with
theme, 'Building Equitable Futures: Women Capacities and Pathways,' was well
attended by men and women of all walks of life from the three senatorial zones
in Anambra State.
In her opening remarks, the
Chairperson of the WOW Conversation...003 Committee, Mrs Benny Allison-Anene
disclosed that the WOW Conversation is a dialogue for men and women in the
community to highlight the concerns and issues that affect women's lives and
livelihoods.
She observed that although
women and girls have made some progress, they still face tremendous obstacles such
as access to education, poor maternal health care, gender-based violence, early
child marriage, lack of access to bank loans, inheritance rights and
gender-based discriminatory cultural practices, among others on the path to
equitable and just society.
"Let us recommit to the
cause of building a strong family with good values, gender equity and
empowerment of women and girls. Let us
work together to break down barriers, promote education and support girls and
women in achieving their full potentials," she said.
In her online welcome message,
the WOW International President, Nicholeen P said the organisation was working
to unite men and women, adding that women are powerful as men but are sometimes
degraded.
She maintained that women have
the power to nurture and make the best of the society.
The Chief Executive Officer,
WOW Africa Incorporated, Chief Mrs Carol Ugochukwu said the day's event was to
celebrate the importance of women and recognize their collective strength,
resilience and unwavering commitment to shaping a brighter future for
generations to come.
She urged the participants to
embrace the opportunity to talk, uplift and inspire each other as they embark
on the transformative journey.
“Women are the backbone of our
communities and play multi-faceted roles as caregivers, educators,
entrepreneurs and community leaders. Their contributions are vital for the
well-being and progress of our community. We need to discourage (challenge)
retrogressive and oppressive practices that affect women.
"The girl child represents
the future and promise of progress for any society. Empowering girls unleash
their potentials as agents of change fostering economic growth, social
stability and sustainable development," she said.
Also in her online message,
Attorney Amaka Ada Akudinobi, Board Member, WOW International, Executive
Director, WOW Africa Inc, and Executive Director/Producer of the WOW
Conversation stressed the need to focus on building strong families as the
bedrock of the society, even as she wondered why women should be discriminated
against on issues of inheritance, among others.
Akudinobi encouraged the
participants to be open-minded to enable them have a wonderful discussion on how
to bring the needed change.
Speaking on the topic, 'The
Continued Non-domestication of CEDAW in Nigeria: A Critque', the Keynote
Speaker, who is the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Anambra
State, Prof Sylvia Chika Ifemeje observed that despite efforts of government,
the female gender still suffers in Nigeria, pointing that nothing can be done
except CEDAW is domesticated.
She called on Nigerian
legislators to work towards representing and domesticating CEDAW and urged
women and gender activists not to rest until the bill is domesticated to reduce
the sufferings of women.
Other speakers at the event
include the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Anambra State Solid
Mineral Development, Prof Charles
Ofoegbu, Acting Vice-Chancellor, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University,
Prof Kate Omenugha, Professor of English Language, Nnamdi Azikiwe University,
Awka, Prof Ngozi Ezenwa-Ohaeto, former Director of Arts and Culture, Anambra
State and founder, of an all-female painting company, 'The Paint Divah' and the
Awka Market Women Leader, Lolo Dorothy Nnabuife, who spoke on 'The Path to
Inclusion: Identifying the Factors that Shape Women's Marginalization in the
Economy and Politics', 'Education as a
Path Toward an Equitable Future for Women and Girls', 'Raising Awareness of
Cultural Practices that Infringe on Women's Dignity, Human Rights and Societal
Advancement', ' Building an Equitable Future: A Gen Z Perspective' and 'Ife Anyị
Chọlụ' respectively.
Major highlight of the event
was presentation of three grinding machines to three lucky women after a draw.
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