Women Empowerment Critical to Economic Growth – Rinsola Abiola
Ms. Rinsola Abiola, Senior Special Assistant, SSA, to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on citizenship and leadership has said empowering women into leadership roles remain critical to Nigeria’s economic prosperity.
The Senior Special Assistant alluded to the fact that even though some level of success have been recorded over the last decades there is still much to be done.
She made this known while delivering a keynote address titled “Breaking Barriers: Paving the Way for Women in Leadership Roles,” at an event organised by Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Association of Nigeria, MWFAAN, in Abuja on Saturday.
“Therefore, for unprecedented economic growth, we must ensure that the virus that hinder half of our population (women) from participating meaningfully in the economy must be eradicated for prosperity.
“Women must also assume leadership in power and be part of decision-making. To achieve this, we must take deliberate steps. As women, we must not only participate in the political process, but also contribute meaningfully to decision making in key positions.”
Rinsola Abiola identified lack of financial power, social and cultural norm among other factors hindering women assention to leadership position and that deliberation around such factors must continue in order to profer lasting solution.
“To enable women assume leadership positions, there is every need to critically examine all the factors that contribute to holding our them back. When girls and women are equipped with critical tools – education, adequate healthcare, haulting violence and discrimination against them, proper legislation, economic empowerment through credit facilities, and adequate participation in workplace – they can navigate the world and ascend to even greater heights.
“This is also why we must continue to engage and keep the discussions going, only then can we provide a lasting solution,” Rinsola stated in part.
Farida Yahaya, President MWFAAN, during her welcome speech galvanized for leveraging diversity to pave more ways for more women inclusivity in leadership.
“Let us embrace the power of diversity and spirit of collaboration to create a wall where all women cannot only be seen and heard but are also able to rewrite what is obtainable. With this, they will not just break barriers but will be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with their male counterpart,” Farida advised
The program themed: Count Her In: Inspiring Inclusion and Empowerment, also featured award presentation to women who are making impact in various fields of human endeavour.
Some of the Her-Excellency awardees are, Funke Adeoye, Trailblazer award, Hellen Beyioku Alasa, inclusive leadership award, Rabeeha Belloz visionary entrepreneurship award, Samira Modibbo, community catalyst award, Nice Abuzi, young rising leader award, Fatima Madaki, career achievement award, and Farida Yahaya, outstanding leadership award.
