By Kenneth Jukpor
Despite women topping the population chart in Africa, although slightly at 50.14% according to World Bank and African Development Bank (AfDB), the continent’s female employment-to-population ratio is only at 39.2%, whereas male employment-to-population ratio is at 69.2%.
The World Health Organization (WHO) statistics indicate that 38% of murders of women are committed by an intimate partner and its records show that the number of women aged 15 and above living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) accounted for 64.1% of total population living with HIV.
Girls are far more likely than boys to suffer sexual abuse and this abuse also transmutes into harassment for women in the workplace across various sectors. Over 94,200 women died due to road crashes in the region as one woman is killed every three days in a traffic accident.
It is unlikely that the majority of African countries will meet the 50% target set in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 5.5 on Women’s Political Participation (WPP). Women’s representation in African parliaments has only increased by one percent from 25% in 2021 to 26% in 2024. At this rate, analysts predict that it will take until 2100 for African countries to achieve gender parity in their parliaments despite the 2030 goal for 50% inclusion.
These unpleasant realities underscore the importance of critical women-centric conferences, like the 2024 MMS Woman of Fortune Hall of Fame Induction & International Women’s Summit which held in Abuja, last Wednesday on the theme: “Gender Equality: Influencing Policies and Upscaling Capacity in Digital Economy”
Speaking at the summit, the Director of Operations, Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA), Mrs. Sylvia Asana Dauda-Owu, explained that Affirmative action policies in Ghana have emerged as essential tools for addressing historical inequalities and fostering inclusivity.
Her words: “The Ghana Affirmative Action Act of 2024 marks a pivotal step forward in addressing gender and social inequalities. The Act is based on the principle that diverse representation strengthens decision-making and drives societal progress. By introducing mandatory quotas, incentives, and accountability measures, it seeks to create a level playing field and promote equity across various sectors.”
“The Act sets a target for women to hold at least 40% of decision-making roles in public and private sectors. This mandate represents a transformative shift aimed at dismantling long-standing gender inequalities in leadership. Achieving this target will significantly increase the presence of women in influential positions, allowing them to contribute to policy and decision-making processes that better reflect diverse perspectives.”
While highlighting the Act’s expected gender equality outcomes to include; potential impacts on key sectors and a framework for practical implementation; she asserted that the Act also guarantees a more inclusive environment across political, educational, corporate, and civil spheres, supporting Ghana’s sustainable development goals and aligning with its international commitments.
Asana emphasized the need for strategic workshops for transforming workplace cultures to be targeted at employees, managers, executives, and government officials to address unconscious biases and build awareness of the benefits of gender equity.
Meanwhile, she advocated for incentives for compliant organizations and penalties for defaulters, maintaining that an effective monitoring system is essential to track sectoral adherence to quotas and affirmative action policies as this system will collect data from institutions and companies, thereby, allowing regulatory bodies to evaluate progress.
On his part, the Executive Secretary, National Action Committee on African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Dr. Olusegun Awolowo, stressed that the African Union (AU) recognises the peculiar challenges hampering active participation of women and youth in intra- African trade.
Awolowo, who was represented by Dr. Fatima Bello, Deputy Lead, Trade Enablement & Coordinator Policy, Regulation & Law, observed that to increase women participation in trade under the AfCFTA and remove any systematic, structural and financial barriers to their participation, the Protocol on Women and Youth was adopted.
“This protocol is a game changer for women SMEs including young women entreprenuers. I employ women business operators to take maximum advantage. The Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office is open to giving technical and moral support to women business initiatives.”
“In line with our mandate, the Coordination Office is implementing the Protocol on Women and Youth. It is working with women businesses to increase their participation in intra-African trade and developing a strategic implementation plan to ensure efficient implementation of the protocol.
“Through this strategic plan, the office is working on aligning the domestic legal framework with the AfCFTA Agreement which will create the enabling environment that will provide technical support, build the capacity of women, remove barriers, promote participation and result in impactful implementation as we focus on leveraging Nigeria’s comparative advantage,” the Nigerian AfCFTA Coordinator said.
Also speaking, the chairperson of the occasion/ former Director, Special Duties at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Hajia Lami Tumaka, observed the need to establish a gender equality taskforce, gender policy task team, develop a proper policy recommendation and create an online resource based and platform for gender based issues.
While reemphasizing the need to have Nigerian women at leadership tables were significant issues about policies and industry decisions are taken, Tumaka also charged women to make themselves available and ready to be helped.
However, the Chief Host of the occasion and Chief Executive Officer of Le Look bags, Chief (Mrs.) Chinwe Ezenwa, stressed that women can never be over recognized or sufficiently celebrated for their unique roles in society.
Ezenwa, however, charged women to continue to fight for their interests and legitimate cause for career advancement and development.
“As I get older, I am thrilled to find women fighting and winning in securing their rights and legitimate interests. Women must continue to support one another, but also ensure they have the right attitude. Get your priorities right, ensure you practice business before pleasure,” the business tycoon said.
In his keynote address, a former Executive Secretary of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Barr. Hassan Bello, asserted that there is a need for coordinated and concerted efforts to ensure that more women get involved in the maritime academies and become leading practitioners.
“Gender equality is about equal access to education, access to finance, absence of harassment, equal access to promotion at the workplace, as well as economic and political rights”
“The essence of women inclusion isn’t just to tag along, but proper inclusion in the development of policies. The truth is that if men were to pay their wives wages for taking care of the children and the home, we won’t be able to afford it,” he stated.
Bello, who is also the Principal Partner of Justicia Legal Practitioners, offered free legal counsel and support to Nigerian women in maritime who are victims of gender-based discrimination in the workplace
One of the inductees and recipient of the Life-Impact Awards, the National President of Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA), Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi, said she was deeply honoured to be decorated at the MMS 2024 Hall of Fame event.
Mrs. Adeniyi, who was represented by COWA National Secretary, Dr. (Mrs.) Asma’u Isah Maibasira said: “I dedicate my 2024 Women of Fortune Hall of Fame award to every woman striving for excellence. May our collective achievements inspire future generations.”
“This induction is not just a personal achievement but a testament to the support of my loved ones, mentors, and colleagues and all COWA members across Nigeria. Thank you for believing in me. I look forward to continuing our shared journey of empowering women and fostering positive change,” she said.
In his welcome address, the convener of MMS 2024 Hall of Fame Induction/ International Women’s Leadership Summit, Mr. Kingsley Anaroke said: “I am personally hopeful that with the array of technocrats and experts in different fields waiting to share perspectives on this subject, solutions to challenges will emerge.”
“Permit me to observe at this point that the phrase “Women support women” is largely abandoned by women in the face of reality. Why are women showing so much indifference when a fellow woman is facing challenges, especially when that situation has huge potential of changing the face of policies or conventions in a country or work place? Instances abound.”
“The intervention of professional women groups or associations by asking and raising relevant questions on the developments will enhance chances of inclusivity and diversity in gender equation,” the Anaroke argued.
The event was graced by several eminent Nigerian personalities and maritime bigwigs as inductees into the 2024 MMS Hall of Fame including; the Co-Founder of Protection Plus Services Limited, Dr. (Mrs.) Unyime Ivy-King; President of African Women in Maritime (WIMA) Nigeria, Mrs. Rollens Macfoy; the Deputy Director, NIMASA, Mrs. Chizoba Anyika; Managing Partner, Temerity International Experts Limited, Mrs. Temilade Ogunniyi; Founder, MallPai Foundation, Hajia Aisha Atiku Bagudu; former Director, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mrs. Bilkisu Usman; Executive Director, Finance and Administration, NPA, Mrs. Vivian Richard-Edet; Deputy Director, NSC, Adaora Nwonu; Vice President, Clarion Group, Mrs. Bernardine Ifeoma Eloka; Group Human Resources Manager, LITT Coastal and Marine Services Limited, Mrs. Theodora Nwaeze.
Others were; Executive Director, Healthy Living Services Limited, Dr. Ify Nwakwesi; Founder, Golden Souls Initiative International, Comrade/ Prophetess Mary Baamlong; Dr. Faith Zibs Godwin; and the Lead Consultant, Amazon Project, Amb. (Mrs.) Tina Kenechukwu.
