Women professionals in various fields of endeavor in Kwara State have urged young women and girls to be self-reliant and strive to work towards achieving self-worth.
The professionals, who spoke at an event organized by a non-profit organization, MALhub, in commemoration of the 2024 International Women’s Day in Ilorin on Friday, emphasised that young girls need to be confident, build a team, and avoid seeing each other as competitors to actualize their set goals in life.
They also urged girls to stop viewing men as competitors but as propellers or strategies to achieve success in life, stating that equality between men and women is not possible, as everyone is unique in their own right.
The panelists, aligning with this year’s theme of ”Inspiring Inclusion,” expressed that it was high time women acknowledged their worth and stopped comparing themselves with men.
Mrs. Juliet Halawani, Founder of Evolve with Juliet, emphasized that inclusiveness should not be for women alone but also for men. She suggested creating a world where everyone can thrive and urged empathy in all endeavors.
”Everyone is going through a lot of things, especially our men, so when you become the rich housewife we are advising you to be, don’t use it to oppress your husbands,” she said.
Another panelist, Mrs. Joy Kayode, a freelancer and Digital Entrepreneur, urged women and girls to know their worth and be self-independent. She added that women need to surround themselves with the right mentorship to avoid self-doubt.
”You can be a better version of yourself by monetizing your passion and keep investing in yourself as a woman; that is the best gift you can give yourself,” she said.
Hajarat Alli, a Curator of Wellness at Spa Pampering At Home, encouraged women to leave their comfort zones, blow their trumpet, and be multifaceted to expose themselves to more opportunities. She emphasized the importance of being open to collaborations and constructive criticisms.
Miss Angel Ayokanmi, a Human Resources Manager at EVC, advised women to stop thinking less of themselves and be confident in what they have to offer.
The Managing Director of MALhub, Kamaldeen Kehinde, and Co-founder, Abubakar Sodiq, mentioned that the non-profit organization aimed to launch women-focused programs to empower women in technology, enabling them to be self-reliant.
One of the participants, Marie-Claire Osun, a 100-level Food Engineering student at the University of Ilorin, shared that her takeaway from the program is to confidently showcase her skills and have more confidence in her digital work.
Another participant, Fauziyah Kukoyi, a businesswoman, expressed that with the experiences shared by the panelists, she will recognize her worth more and be open to collaborations.
The program was organized by MALhub in partnership with Plat Technologies Limited, Ilorin Innovation Hub, and Fairshop.
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