“That’s one small step for a [wo]man; one giant leap for [wo]mankind.” – Neil Armstrong
Let me re-introduce myself – it’s been a while since I contributed to a column for Guardian Woman. It’s coming up to five years to be precise, when I partnered with this platform to launch Investing In Women in Nigeria and Guardian Angels.
May I also take the opportunity to wish you all a very Happy New Year. Personally-speaking, I’m claiming it as a LEAP of faith YEAR (smiles)! 2024 will be a year where the opportunities to grow, excel and to overcome hurdles are endless. And above, I’ve borrowed the words spoken by Neil Armstrong as he descended from the ladder of Apollo 11’s Lunar Excursion Module (using the feminine), for inspiration.
I’m also excited to share that during the lead-up to the end of the first quarter, Guardian Woman is preparing for International Women’s Month, themed: Inspiring Inclusion.
During this period, together with our ongoing goal of spotlighting women who stand out in their various fields, we will be launching the first edition of the Guardian Woman Festival. This column will therefore be featuring high-profile women sharing inspiring thoughts on womanhood, as well as truths about their various career journeys. Do look out for some #truthtellers among them!
We expect to attract women from all walks of life, industries and sectors – cutting across age groups, and parents are welcome to bring their girls along. By creating a unique atmosphere that inspires inclusivity, we aim to increase not only learning, but mentorship opportunities for the younger females.
The journey towards inclusion is far from over and the fight for a universal commitment to quality schooling for girls and women is ongoing. An education for all girls is needed to break the cycle of poverty and gender inequality. Because educated women are empowered women. They are armed with the knowledge and skills they need to contribute effectively and confidently to make a positive impact on their communities and economies.
In addition to this, in the Digital Age, access to technology and digital literacy will bridge the digital gender gap and ensure that women have equal opportunities to leverage technology for their empowerment and advancement.
Next, empowering women at work still cannot be underestimated. Cultivating an inclusive workplace fosters innovation and brings diverse perspectives to the table. Examples of inspiring inclusion in this context can include dismantling discriminatory practices and increasing the percentage of women in executive positions and on boards, as well as in the overall employee head count.
For the self-employed, access to economic opportunities, fair remuneration and fees, and entrepreneurship support is also crucial. With cultural norms and social expectations often as impediments to women’s inclusion, the voices of women are still needed to challenge stereotypes, to promote positive role models and to engage with the opposite sex who can hopefully become allies to support their ideas, their dreams as well as their advocacy for better societies.
We look forward to your continued readership and to having you join us at the Guardian Woman Festival in mid-March!
Anita Athena Ibru
Chief Strategy Officer (Global)
The Guardian Nigeria
