WIMBIZ 2019: Nigeria Must Improve Its Global Ranking On Gender Gap - Erelu Bisi Fayemi

Friday, November 08, 2019 / 4:00 PM / Nifemi Taiyese for Proshare WebTV / Header Image Credit: WebTV

The Wife of the Ekiti State Governor Erelu Bisi Fayemi has made a strong call for Nigeria to improve its global ranking on Gender issues.

She cited the 2014 World Economic Forum, WEF,  that showed Nigeria ranks 117 of 177 countries in the world on gender gap issues.

The First Lady OF Ekiti State Erelu Bisi Fayemi disclosed this as the keynote speaker at the 18^th annual edition of the Women In Management, Business & Public Service, WIMBIZ in Lagos.

Speaking on the theme "Shaping The Future: Strategizing to Win" Erelu Fayemi decried the fact that Nigeria is still among the countries with a wide gender gap.

She also noted that 60% of the 13m out-of-school children in Nigeria are girls, and key steps have to be taken to address the gender inequality in the educational system.

Fayemi listed the following as strategies Nigerian women must deploy for winning;

• The understanding of Patriarchy and its structures
• The need to take legislative framework seriously
• The need for a clear, cut and defined agenda
• The need to plan a legacy to be better positioned to shape the future.
• The need for women to be politically engaged
• The need for strategic use of networks
• The need to have a "wrapper" that signifies affection, love, respect and empathy.

She also made a strong case for an enabling environment for women to have access to finance, so they can grow their businesses, earn income and support their families.

The First Lady of Ekiti State also charged the younger generation to ask probing questions that motivate women to rise and accomplish great things.

According to her, women have the power to shape the future of the nation across all sectors.

In her opening remarks, the Chairperson of the WIMBIZ Executive Council Mrs. OlubunmiAboderin-Talabi said the organization has over the years been empowering and advocating for greater representation of women in leadership positions; both in the public and private sectors.

Aboderin-Talabi also informed the delegates that the WIMBIZ platform served as an avenue for women to contribute to nation-building.

She said the conference was an opportunity for delegates to learn how to develop winning strategies, secure their seats at the table, discover the essence of collaborating to win, rising above the impostor syndrome.

 The conference chairperson Honorable Justice Rose Ukeje, OFR, Chief Judge, Federal High Court of Nigeria (2001-2008) tasked women to be diligent in their profession, giving the example of how she defied the odds to attain the position of the first-ever female Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, through hard work and dedication.

Justice Ukeje also outlined strategies that women must deploy in achieving their life aspirations;

• Be adaptable
• Set smart goals
• Be brazen
• Be bold and take risks
• Dedicate time for skills development 
• Research and ask questions 
• Embrace innovation to produce different results 
• Give or receive mentorship

She cautioned women against working in silos and urged them to use the WIMBIZ platform as an avenue to deepen collaboration and improve gender inclusion in the nation.

The conference was organized to elevate the profile and influence of women and their contribution to nation-building.

Women in conventional paid employment or entrepreneurs were in attendance to meet and connect with other professional career women.

The event featured debates, plenary sessions and deep-dive sessions, a raffle draw and female Achievement Awards wrapped up the event.

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