“GIVE TO GAIN is about being self-aware of who we are and what we represent. Women need to stop playing small. Give yourself grace to gain growth.”

This was the take of Dr. Yetunde Ajibade, a multifaceted professional while addressing women during the commemoration of the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD) event  held in Lagos, recently.

Ajibade who spoke on the IWD thematic campaign, ‘Give To Gain’, which encourages reciprocity and support – a mindset of generosity and collaboration said: “It is about giving women more opportunities to thrive, show who they are and what they bring to the table. ‘Give to Gain’ for me is self-belief, self-confidence, trusting yourself enough to deliver. Just start where you are – it doesn’t matter if anybody is doing better than you. Give yourself permission to excel and succeed. Trust yourself enough to believe that you can achieve anything you put your mind to, and you’re not late. When you wake, it’s your morning. If you’re 30, 40, it doesn’t matter. It’s never too late. Do your thing and ensure you do not play small, be visible.”

She urged women to use visibility as a strategy to rise. “This is important because if you have something to give, how will people see it if you’re not visible? Women are carriers, we nurture to maturity – we ensure that the house is in order and it’s time to confidently put ourselves out there more.

“Confidence is not aggression; it’s not being arrogant or loud. It’s about what you carry, and knowing your worth. Confidence is alignment. It’s about having content. Does your expertise come naturally? There is comfort in trusting that what is meant for you will not require you to abandon yourself. Alignment feels steady, not draining. When people see you, what are you communicating? When you put yourself together properly, people will honour you. Self-confidence starts from looking good. When you look good, you feel good,” Ajibade noted.

Speaking on gender parity in organisations, she said: “Men and women had the same teacher and curriculum in schools, why then should there be a difference in organisations. I see people celebrating women at top positions but it’s a no brainer, that’s the consequence of doing your homework, going to school, we all did that so we could become professionals, and then we want to see more of that. Take for example, if you have a woman who is the only woman in the top position in an organisation, she believes it’s a privilege – no, it’s your right.”

Ajibade further said that women should make conscious efforts to create more space for more women to grow. “If a woman is in the room, she should bring another woman in. The more women we have in the room, the more the advocates we have. When we look at that scarcity mindset, we think that you never really get women at this level and I’m in this position, so, I’m fine, and then you shun people. A time will come when you’ll need some back up, but if it’s just you then your struggles multiply.

This is why it is important to mentor and sponsor more women. If you’re in an organisation and you don’t have any mentee, I don’t know what you’re doing there – whatever you know is a waste because no one is learning from you.”

She continued: “Women need to support women. We need to change that mindset of women bringing down fellow women. There’s no competition – we do better with collaboration, when we have more women collaborating, we achieve more. It’s still the scarcity mindset that makes you think there’s only room for one person at the top level and you’re the one, so, you’re good. Support other women, celebrate them. If you have an issue with a woman, walk up to her and tell her, if you can’t, pray for her, but don’t go against her because we have a lot going against us already. We’re mothers, sisters, wives, so we’re carrying so much, we should be more considerate of one another.”