The 4th edition of “The WOW Conversation recently held in Awka, Anambra State with women encouraged to optimize their potentials for maximum social impact.
It drew over 200 passionate and prominent female change makers and a few good men from across the country.
Addressing them, the founder and CEO of WOW Africa, Chief (Mrs.) Carol Ugochukwu, whose 80th birthday was celebrated at the event, appreciated Team WOW Africa for organizing the event.
She hoped that the WOW Conversation 004 would spur attendees to contribute more to the global conversation around SDG 5 – gender equality and women’s empowerment.
“The world is a global village with social media empowering women youths, marginalized groups, and in fact, everyone to create an equitable world, an equitable society”.
Chief Ugochukwu thanked the women for celebrating her noting that “I am a certified senior citizen, and very happily passing my torch to you all.”
Essence of the WOW Conversation
The Executive Director of WOW Africa, Attorney Amaka Akudinobi, in her message shared the mandate of WOW Africa.
“WOW Africa Inc. is an initiative for the women of Africa to tell their stories, confidently project their voices, build strong families, and enable platforms for the voiceless in sororal solidarity to develop community-specific solutions to their issues.
The WOW Conversation is envisioned by the need for women to come together to speak on issues that impact their lives, and articulate solutions to them.” she explained.
Akudinobi contended that women emancipation requires collective fight against factors that have undermined the female folk down for decades.
She encouraged women to raise their voices as Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
She said, “I raise up my own voice-not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard. We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.”
“As we ponder on the theme of the WOW Conversation 004 “Beyond Boundaries: Women, Effective Visions, and Capacities for Global Change”, let us ask ourselves – how can I become a community builder or change maker?” she asked in conclusion.
Nicoleen Peck, the President of WOW International, charged participants to be resolute about making global impact, starting from themselves.
“We all have a mission or purpose within our families, our church congregations, our groups of friends and our community.”
Zara Ilona, the lead Teen Adviser of WOW Africa, sent in her remark, aptly titled, “Preparing Young Girls For Adulthood.
“As young individuals preparing for adulthood, young girls must discern what it means to be a woman in today’s society.
“This understanding must guide the youth as they journey into maturity.
“They must wield their intellect to battle boundaries and direct their thinking to attain what confinement once deemed impossible”
Call against human trafficking
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice and Solicitor-General of Anambra State, Mrs Ngozi Iwouno, delivered the keynote speech titled “Not for Sale: Resisting the Trafficking of Women through Law, Policy, and Collective Action”.
She regretted that Nigeria has been a source, transit, and destination country for the crime.
“The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that over 1.3 million Nigerians are victims of human trafficking, with Edo and Anambra States historically being significant hotspots.
“According to the UNODC (2022) Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, 71% of all trafficking victims globally are women and girls, and 90% of those trafficked for sexual exploitation are female”.
The Permanent Secretary called for concerted efforts to tackle the problem. “This is not a fight for NGOs alone,” she contended.
“It is a fight for every woman who the society said is too much, too small, too soft, too loud.”
An Associate Professor in the Department of English Language and Literature, and the Deputy Director of the Centre for Gender Studies at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Dr. Ifeoma Odinye, in her presentation titled “Empowering Women for Global Impact: Visionary Leadership Beyond Boundaries,” submitted that women constitute the most significant hurdle to women’s advancement.
“We undo ourselves. We must go back and cleanse ourselves. To get the empowerment, you need focus and consistency in what you’re doing.”
She mentioned obstacles to women’s empowerment, include limited access to leadership roles, gender bias, inability to balance work and family life, as well as lack of role models.
Export business opportunities also shared
Mrs. Edith Ikenye, the Head of Product and Market Development, Anambra State Coordinating Office, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), also addressed the conference.
She shared several opportunities in the export business including the export of agricultural products, clothing, arts and crafts.
“You can contact our office for further assistance. Also look out for opportunities to learn more about export business,” she counselled.
The event featured a cultural dance by the Isu-Awka/Mgbakwu Mbem Cultural group, goodwill messages from some special guests including the Managing Director, Anambra Broadcasting Service, ABS, Mr. Chris Molokwu, Sir Chuka Nnabuife, the Managing Director, Civic and Social Reformation Office, and Amb. Ifeanyi Njelita, SSA to a former governor of Anambra State.
Dignitaries cut the CEO’s 80th birthday anniversary cake as Dr Oge Okeke represented her.
Three members of WOW community – Maureen Olisa, Ruth Olisa, and Amaechi Anyanwu won brand-new industrial grinding machines.
All other WOW members received gifts during convivial conference moderated by WOW Africa Director of Media, Ify Aronu-Okafor.
Participants returned home with resolution to keep the conversation on as they earnestly anticipate next year’s edition (WOW Conversation 005).
