To mark International Women’s Day 2025, Priscilla Ekwueme Eleje Empowerment Initiatives (PEEEI) hosted an engaging virtual webinar under the theme: “Accelerating Action: Advancing Gender Equality through Leadership and Advocacy.” The event brought together legal minds, gender advocates, and development experts to tackle one pressing question: how do we move from dialogue to lasting change for women in Nigeria?
The session opened with remarks from Mrs. Priscilla Ekwueme Eleje, Executive Director of PEEEI, who reaffirmed the organization’s mission to empower women and youth across Nigeria through economic support, psychosocial development, and advocacy for equity. She called for more than just commemoration—urging that the moment be used to advance bold, structural reforms.
Three powerful speakers set the tone for transformation. Engr. Beatrice Oduniyi, a trailblazer in engineering, shared her journey navigating a male-dominated profession. Her story highlighted the challenges of exclusion, but also the power of competence, confidence, and mentorship. She underscored the importance of self-development and advocacy through networks like APWEN (Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria), which she helped co-found.
Dr. Benson Olugbuo, a seasoned legal expert, took on the issue of political inclusion, advocating for the constitutional amendment to create special seats for women in legislative bodies. He reminded participants that women’s inclusion is not about expanding government—but improving it. His call for civic pressure and political courage resonated strongly, especially during the discussion on the silence of women leaders in times of injustice.
Madam Ngozi Nwakama led a compelling session on the difference between equality and equity. Using practical examples, she emphasized that equality without context leads to tokenism, while equity creates true fairness by meeting people where they are. She urged stakeholders to shift their focus toward equity-based policies that dismantle systemic barriers.
The session didn’t stop at conversation—it generated action. Key challenges were identified, including:
- the absence of female-friendly infrastructure in workplaces,
- cultural stereotypes about women’s roles,
- low representation in politics, and
- the silence and fragmentation among women in leadership.
From these, a bold set of recommendations emerged:
- Institutionalize mentorship platforms
- Advocate for workplace reform and inclusive infrastructure
- Pass the Special Seats Amendment Bill
- Build solidarity networks among women leaders
- Mainstream gender education in governance and policymaking
The event also left a lasting impact:
- It sparked national dialogue on equity vs. equality
- Reignited momentum for legislative reform
- Empowered women in male-dominated fields
- Strengthened collective solidarity among female leaders
The 2025 International Women’s Day webinar was not just a celebration—it was a strategic intervention. It reminded us that true gender inclusion demands more than representation; it demands transformation. As echoed by all speakers, equity must guide our laws, our workplaces, and our leadership choices and the time to act is now.