‘Progress Is Faster When Women In Leadership Position Inspires Others’-  Unyime-Ivy King

BY FUNMI ALUKO

Amb. Dr. Unyime-Ivy King has said that the crusade for women emancipation and struggle for gender equality will make more impact if women in position of leadership treats their fellow women better with the right encouragement, recognition and respect.

Amb. King who dropped the hint Monday when making a presentation as chairman of the MMS Hall of Famers’ Initiative, with the theme ‘Inspired Inclusion Amazons’ in commemoration of the 2024 International Women’s Day at the Colonades Hotel Ikoyi Lagos, further note that women-to-women support ranks as the greatest catalyst in achieving gender balancing; even as she urged women the world over to reject the primitive customs that confines women to the kitchen.

The chairman of Protection Plus Services Limited (PPSL) who virtually addressed the gathering briefly and was physically represented at the event by Lady Mfon ID-Victor, argued that woman was not in any way inferior to man nor is she less endowed or less competent; and should strive to remain project her competence and take her place in the world order.

She said, “When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we forge a better world. And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there’s a sense of belonging, relevance and empowerment. Today, we are here to applaud them.

“One of our struggles is the sparse number of women in positions of power. From corporate boardrooms, to the courts and political leadership around the world, the small percentage of women in senior positions continues to stymie progress on issues from pay to humanitarian aid to discrimination in all its forms. The sooner we understand that the small number of women in leadership roles holds back not only women, but all people, the sooner we will be able to advance society as a whole.”

While identifying some of the stiff challenges women faces in a balanced gender world, Amb. Dr. Unyime-Ivy King identified patriarchy as the most common that must be pulled down and eliminated.

“The biggest challenge facing women today is patriarchy. This is especially evident in the realm of politics. Regardless of a woman’s experience, education or abilities, the patriarchal nature of the society fosters the perception that women are less qualified and less competent than men.

“What patriarchy has done is convince people that a strong and intelligent woman represents a problem; a disruption to the social order rather than an integral part of it. It is therefore no coincidence that many countries are completely out of step when it comes to electing a woman as president.”

Speaking further, she notes that Africa is notorious for creating the greatest challenge to the emancipation of women, especially in the area of political leadership; and further note that the era where women were confined to the background as domestic and family caretakers was over.

“While women have maintained the highest office of leadership in Liberia, India, the United Kingdom, Croatia, Dominica to mention a few, the same cannot be said in Africa or globally. I believe the time has come for more women to get into top leadership positions in this country in various sectors.

“We no longer belong to the kitchen. It is time to come out from the kitchen and to get to work in the Senate, in the Ministries and Parastatals, in the States and in the Presidency. We have the numbers and we can do this.”

She applauded women that have been selected to be inducted into the MMS Plus Hall of Famers, and urged them to be the torchbearer of gender balancing and empowerment.

“It is my immense pleasure to welcome you to this occasion that is carefully curated to recognise and celebrate Amazons in Maritime and other sectors as part of several events to mark the International Women’s Day celebration Worldwide.

“This year’s theme; Inspire Inclusion, cannot be over- emphasized without pointing to the various women of repute who have held their own in their fields of endeavour. These are women, who despite militating challenges rose above them and succeeded. These are women who have inspired many others to achieve success.

“These are women who were given the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills, and who went on to excel through the process. These are women who have stood out in predominantly male dominated industries and created impact. They have demolished barriers, they have dismantled stereotypes and have steadily bridged the gap in gender inequality.

“When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we forge a better world. And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there’s a sense of belonging, relevance and empowerment. Today, we are here to applaud them.”

Amb. King ttok time out to also applaude, Mr. Kingsley Anaroke, founder of WOHOF for standing out for the rights of women through the MMS Plus Women of Fame Initiative vehicle.

“Women all over the world face patriarchy, marginalization, discrimination, poverty, gender violence, child marriage, sexual harassment, lack of social inclusion, lack of political representation, maternal death, lack of access to education and so many other challenges. It is time for our women to come together and address these challenges. It is time to get our men to be part of the conversation and effect a positive change.

“My special thanks go to Mr. Kingsley Anoreke, the founder and CEO of MMS Hall of Fame Initiative for all the hard work put into organizing this event and for always creating a platform for women to be heard and seen.”

Speaking on the theme “MMS Woman of Fortune Hall of Fame Initiative-“Leveraging Innovation and Technology for Gender Inclusion for Africa”, she lamented that women’s access to technologies in Africa was nothing to write home about, even as he said that gender inaccessibility in technology has resulted a loss of $1 trillion in the economies of developing countries in the last one decade.

“Technology is a huge part of our daily existence. It offers unprecedented opportunities, but women’s access to technologies in Africa remain topical. Today we are here to shed light on this pressing challenge and proffer a way forward

“According to United Nation Women’s 2022 Gender Snapshot, women’s exclusion from the digital world has caused a loss of $1 trillion for the economies of developing countries in the last decade – a loss that will increase by 50% in 2025 if nothing is done in this regard. Besides economic benefits, enhancing women’s safe and equal access to digital technologies offers immense opportunities to address development and humanitarian challenges and spark innovative and creative solutions that meet women’s needs and promote their empowerment.

“Women’s participation in the digital sphere is therefore not just a matter of gender equality – it is a prerequisite for sustainable development. As a starting point, we must make greater and more sustained investments in increasing women and girls’ digital literacy and familiarity with technology.

“This will enable them to participate effectively in the digital economy and gain access to digital services such as education, healthcare, and online banking. E-commerce and technology-based businesses offer women more flexibility, helping them to manage both paid and unpaid work, which is essential for economic empowerment.

“And as the world is evolving to become more digital, we must ensure we can keep up the pace and unleash the potential of women and girls to become active agents of change in this transformation”, she submitted.

Acomplished dignitaries and women of substance that graced the occassion include a former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Mrs. Mfon, Usoro, former Managing Director, Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority, Mrs. Chinwe Ezenwa, DG Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Chinyerer Almona, and Mr. James Agada, who delivered the lecture.