By Uzo Ugwunze
Chief Executive Officer, Worldwide Organization for Women (WOW) Africa, Chief Mrs Carol Ugochukwu has challenged Nigerian women to be resolute in their bid for global impact.
Ugochukwu who gave the charge at the WOW Conversation 004 held in Awka, Anambra State which coincided with her 80th birthday, appreciated all championing women empowerment and gender equality and Team WOW Africa for putting the event together.
She hoped that the WOW Conversation 004 would spur attendees to contribute more to the global conversation around SDG 5 – gender equality and women’s empowerment.
“I thank you all for putting this together, the organizers, the executive director, and her team. Thank you very much for doing this on my special day.
“The world is a global village with social media empowering women and youths, marginalized groups, and in fact, everyone to create an equitable world, an equitable society.” she advised.
Chief Ugochukwu thanked the women for celebrating her noting that “I am a certified senior citizen, and very happily passing my torch to you all.”
Executive Director of WOW Africa, Attorney Amaka Akudinobi, in her message, indicated that “WOW Africa Inc. is an initiative for the women of Africa to tell their stories, confidently project their voices, build strong families, and enable platforms for the voiceless in sororal solidarity to develop community-specific solutions to their issues.
“The WOW Conversation is a women’s conference envisioned by the need for women to come together to speak on issues that impact their lives, and articulate solutions to them.
According to Akudinobi, women emancipation requires collective fight against factors that have held the female folk down for decades and that women must be resolute in their quest for women empowerment.
She encouraged them to raise their voices as Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who said “I raise up my own voice-not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard. We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.
“As we ponder on the theme of the WOW Conversation 004 “Beyond Boundaries: Women, Effective Visions, and Capacities for Global Change”, let us ask ourselves – how can I become a community builder or change maker?”
President of WOW International, Nicoleen Peck, charged participants to be resolute about making global impact, starting from themselves.
“I believe in the concept of mission, which means that every person has a purpose. We have mission or purpose within our families, our church congregations, our groups of friends and our community,” she stated.
Zara Ilona, the lead Teen Adviser of WOW Africa, in her remark, aptly titled, “Preparing Young Girls For Adulthood”, said “As young individuals preparing for adulthood, it is crucial to discern what it means to be a woman in today’s society.
“This understanding must guide the youth as they journey into maturity. They must wield their intellect to battle boundaries and direct their thinking to attain what confinement once deemed impossible.”
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice and Solicitor-General of Anambra State, Mrs Ngozi Iwouno, in her keynote speech titled “Not for Sale: Resisting the Trafficking of Women through Law, Policy, and Collective Action”, decried the rising spate of human trafficking in Nigeria, which has been a source, transit, and destination country for the crime.
“The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that over 1.3 million Nigerians are victims of human trafficking, with Edo and Anambra States historically being significant hotspots.
According to the UNODC (2022) Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, 71% of all trafficking victims globally are women and girls, and 90% of those trafficked for sexual exploitation are female.
She urged concerted efforts to tackle the problem, stressing that “this is not a fight for NGOs alone.” “It is a fight for every woman who has ever been told she is too much, too small, too soft, too loud.”
An Associate Professor in the Department of English Language and Literature, and Deputy Director of the Centre for Gender Studies at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Dr. Ifeoma Odinye, in her presentation titled “Empowering Women for Global Impact: Visionary Leadership Beyond Boundaries,” submitted that women constitute the most significant hurdle to women’s advancement.
“We undo ourselves. We must go back and cleanse ourselves. To be empowered, you must be focused and consistent with what you’re doing.”
She mentioned obstacles to women’s empowerment, include limited access to leadership roles, gender bias, inability to balance work and family life, as well as lack of role models.
Mrs. Edith Ikenye, the Head of Product and Market Development, Anambra State Coordinating Office, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Anambra State shared with the women several opportunities in the export business including the export of agricultural products, clothing, arts and crafts.
She encouraged the women to contact her office for further assistance and to look out for their training seminars in starting the export business.
The event featured a cultural dance by the Isu-Awka/Mgbakwu Mbem Cultural group, goodwill messages from some special guests including the MD CEO, Anambra Broadcasting Service, ABS, Mr. Chris Molokwu, Sir Chuka Nnabuife, the Managing Director, Civic and Social Reformation Office, and Amb. Ifeanyi Njelita, SSA to a former governor of Anambra State.
The occasion featured the cutting of 80th birthday anniversary cake of the CEO WOW Africa, Chief Ugochukwu, who was represented by Dr Oge Okeke.
Three members of WOW community – Maureen Olisa, Ruth Olisa, and Amaechi Anyanwu won brand-new industrial grinding machines, and all WOW members received gifts from the group.
Participants at the convivial conference moderated by WOW Africa Director of Media, Ify Aronu-Okafor, returned home with resolution to keep the conversation on as they earnestly anticipate next year’s edition (WOW Conversation 005).