March 8 is International Women’s Day. I will be hosting a webinar on the theme: Choose to challenge gender bias and inequality. This is an opportunity to challenge stereotypes, call for inclusion, amplify women’s voices, and to celebrate women. We shall be celebrating all women living beyond limitations, holding up, making an impact, influencing the world, leading positively, motivating the world, transforming lives, standing tall, aiming high, breaking stereotypes, shattering glass ceilings, breaking through concrete walls, striding on sticky floors and escaping career labyrinths. Host: Roseline Adebimpe Adewuyi Speakers: Adebanke Ilori Oyeniyi and Gbenga Oni Coincidentally, both are Mandela Washington Fellows which was not planned by me. Moderator : Ibere…
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Landlords and Single Ladies
“Madam please when you meet the landlord, don’t forget to tell him you are married. And that your husband is on a business trip and would be back soon,” the agent said. “Wait, what?” Lydia asked, shocked. Pulling off her shades, she looked at the wizened middle-aged man she had asked to help her secure an apartment in one of the comfortable parts of town. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing him say. “Oh and if he asks,” he continued, “show him a picture of any random guy. If you are holding hands together or standing really close to each other, that will be perfect!” Shaking her head, she…
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World Radio Day 2021
As we celebrate World Radio Day, I am proud to be alive in a generation where the radio is more than just something people tune into for the news. The reality of how it is also a tool that can be used to change the negative perceptions and stereotypes that people have had for years gladdens my heart and gives me hope. People are being reached out to. People are listening and learning. They are growing. They are evolving and someday gender equality will be a reality all over the world because people use the radio to educate, enlighten and promote this good cause.
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International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2021 – Seyi Adelusi
As a young lady in STEM, which is a male-dominated area, one often encounters toxic masculinity. Also, men in the field get more visibility, at times for less work. As a result, I have had to work extra hard to attain the same visibility as some of my men colleagues. These are major challenges many other women I know and I face in STEM. My approach toward these challenges has been to ignore the noise and focus on activities that move the needle. What I mean here is that as long as you focus on making an impact, eventually, people will come to terms with your worth as a woman…
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International Day of Education 2021
January 24th every year has been set aside by the United Nations as the International Day of Education. This year’s theme is tagged: Recover and Revitalize Education for the COVID-19 Generation. It is a universal knowledge that quality education is a human right — something that everyone should have access to regardless of race, religion, political affiliations, tribe or gender. But in Nigeria, this doesn’t seem to be the case. Many girls that are out of school because of poverty, negative stereotypes, wrong mindsets and the vice called “child marriage”. Many times we see people who can’t afford their children’s fees, send them over to relatives or friends as helps.…
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Women, Brace Up 2!
“Sir, you wanted to see me,” Lisa asked, knocking on the slightly open door and poking her head into the HR’s office. Why didn’t you put in your application?,” the HR manager said, gesturing Lisa to the empty seat in front of him. “Sir, me?” Lisa asked, walking in, sitting on the chair and bending her head shyly. “Yes you,” the HR manager said, “That spot was an easy grab for you! I’m not supposed to say this but I nearly tossed everyone else’s application in the trash. Why do you think I kept extending the deadline?” “The board of directors asked you to?” she volunteered, looking up at him.…
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16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence
16 Days of activism against Gender-based violence The UN sets aside the days between 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day every year as 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The 16 Days of Activism is an international campaign to challenge violence against women and girls. In that period, people all over the world are encouraged to raise awareness about gender-based violence or violence done against women. There are lots of marches, online and offline discussions and all forms of sensitization that educate the general public about gender-based violence. Gender-based violence is violence that is usually targeted at…
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Women, Never Put Yourself in a Box!
Many times, when some think about female leadership, they think about leading other women. There is still this ingrained societal construct that makes them see leadership as something that should happen only with other women involved. So, they expect women to lead units, head divisions or ministries that have to do with women or gender-related issues. This tends to limit them and make them less involved in other leadership capacities where they would have been good fits if they hadn’t boxed themselves. Once one is a gender advocate, their prayer for one is to become Minister of Women’s Affairs. There are other positions within one’s area of competence that one…
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Women Who Make History -Kamala Harris
A few days ago, Kamala Harris became the first woman to be elected as Vice President of the United States. She makes history as the first woman to be elected Vice President. Based on her descent, she is the first Black woman and the first American Indian woman to become elected to the second highest office in the US as well. This is a big win for women, people of color and for anyone who identifies with her one way or another. This is a big win for me as a woman particularly because it shows the world that women can aspire to lead in countries as big…
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Men Picking Up The Gauntlet 6!!! – Ola Akinwe
Gender advocacy has always been personal for me. I started advocacy because growing up, I had a lot of questions about my identity and about the stereotypes I saw in the society. It seemed like there were different sets of rules for guys and different sets of rules for girls, especially as regards career choices and leadership. I wondered why it was so. It seemed like women were limited or deterred from reaching certain heights and my heart rebelled against it. When I realized the truth about who I was and whom I was meant to be, I decided to help every young girl and young woman do the same. …
