Experts have called for urgent policy reforms and stronger legal frameworks to support women in business and leadership. They also advocated gender equity, corporate accountability and economic policies that recognise women’s contributions, saying they are essential to growth.
Speaking at a women’s rights conference themed ‘Empowering Women, Advancing Rights’, held in Lagos, Arise TV host, Rolake Akinkugbe-Filani, highlighted the systemic barriers women face, urging policymakers to implement laws that promote financial access, leadership opportunities and workplace equity.
Akinkugbe-Filani asserted that gender equity in business was not just a moral issue but an economic imperative. She stressed that Nigeria cannot achieve its $1 trillion GDP goal without fully integrating women into its economic framework.
She highlighted key economic disparities, stating that while women drive 85 per cent of consumer purchasing decisions globally, they remain underrepresented in leadership and investment opportunities. She argued that women’s voices matter now more than ever and that silence does not offer protection.
According to her, playing by the rules does not always preserve dignity, and those who speak the truth may often stand alone. PwC Africa Inclusion and Diversity Leader, Bolanle Adekoya, addressed the decline of women in leadership roles despite their strong representation at graduate and entry levels. She emphasised the need for policies that foster gender inclusion and hold corporate leaders accountable for diversity.
Adekoya described the Private Sector Gender Equity and Equality Scorecard as a voluntary tool that allows businesses to assess their progress on gender metrics, such as maternity policies and workspace inclusivity.
Convener and Executive Director of Advocates for Health and Rights of Women and Youths Initiative (ADHERI), Emmanuel Etim, emphasised the unstoppable power of collaboration in amplifying the voices of women, adding that through partnership, shared wisdom and collective action the transformative potential that exists when diverse minds come together can be unlocked.
Speaking on strategies to advance women’s rights, Communications and Governance Consultant, World Bank, Emana Shunnom, emphasised the importance of driving action and changing mindsets.
She challenged the audience to reflect on their perceptions of leadership and power, questioning how many women would be included in a list of Nigeria’s most influential leaders. Despite women making up nearly half of Nigeria’s population, they hold less than seven per cent of elected positions and only 26 per cent of executive roles in the private sector. She highlighted that this imbalance is not just a Nigerian issue but a global challenge.
Shunnom referenced Nigeria’s National Gender Policy, which sets a target of 35 per cent female representation in government. While this goal has yet to be met, she stressed that it served as a tool for advocacy.
