Women have been described as resilient, resourceful, selfless, and hardworking part of the human race, who contribute their own quota as part of the society to societal growth and development. This was the position of female experts from different spheres of endeavours, while speaking during an online conference to mark the 2023 International Women’s Day, which had as its theme, “Digital innovation and technology for gender equality”, organised by the Archbishop JKA Aggey Foundation Nigeria and USA. Treasures Uchegbu, Executive Director, Speakingfingers Network and moderator on the occasion, with the topic, “Women, center of society”, said considering the numerous attributes they possess, Archbishop JKA Aggey Foundation is not leaving the womenfolk behind, as they organised the conference to celebrate women in all strata of life. Congratulating women all over the world, Uchegbu said the month of March is their month, as she added that International Women’s Day is a day to create awareness to things that have to do with women as well as celebrate them. Stating that the foundation supports growth and development of women, she described the life of Archbishop Aggey as that of simplicity, selflessness and service, adding that that is what characterises the foundation and the life of its members. Sylvia Garner, Founder, Pure Empowerment Seminars, one of the discussants while speaking on the life of Archbishop John Kwao Amuzu Aggey, the first indigenous Archbishop of Lagos said the foundation exists because of the humanitarian nature of the late Archbishop. Garner said that Archbishop Aggey believed in the empowerment of women as well as youths, adding that he believed in infrastructural projects as well as helping the less fortunate.
She advised women to do things that would help in putting away negatives in their lives as well as improving their wellbeing. She noted that as women, stress, heartbreak, grief, anger, financial hardships among other things will always be part of their lives, but when they choose to handle their wellbeing with power, only then can they truly evolve. Also speaking, Uju Okeke, Executive Director, Centre for Mmadu on Human Rights noted that women made up over 40 percent of the world population, and as such, there is no meaningful development in the world without women. Advocating that women be included in every stage of development in society, especially starting with political participation, Okeke said women should be actively engaged in governmental processes, which affect their lives as well as that of men. She said women should be allowed to participate on issues affecting them so the things concerning them could be addressed properly. She added that women have obligation just like the men to contribute their perspective to the advancement of society. For her part, Omolola Onifade, Founder, TRAEDA, pointed out that for women to be empowered economically, they will not only be consumers of technology, but contributors of technology. Onifade said that women have to be adaptable to what technology is being built, ideas that are being brought to life so that the things that are important to them will be seen in the products that get to the fore. She noted that despite the significant number of women who run Small Medium Enterprises, SMEs, they still have to struggle to be at par with men. The conference was also attended by Dr. Patience Akhimien, CEO, Ultimate Physical and Medical Health Clinic who spoke on the Physical and Medical Health aspect of women.
