The UNESCO Institute For African Culture and International Understanding (IACIU) said it is creating a supportive environment for the voices of African women to be heard through cultural expression.
The institute equally disclosed that it is giving young women on the continent the opportunity to delve into their cultural heritage and discover new forms of expression, towards nurturing their passions and talents
This was disclosed in a recent workshop, held by the institute at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), in Abeokuta to provide an opportunity for women to engage with their cultural roots while fostering connections with each other.
The institute believes that women have been the stewards of culture, passing down traditions and fostering community through their unique perspectives and experiences, hence the need for the initiative.
Speaking at the workshop, Professor Peter Okebukola, the Director of IACIU, noted that the initiative was born out of the institute’s desire to elevate the voices of young women and to empower them to take their rightful place in the cultural landscape.
He said: “This workshop is an opportunity for you to engage deeply with your cultural heritage while also discovering new forms of expression that resonate with you as individuals and as a collective.
“Over the course of our time together, we will engage in a variety of activities, including workshops led by experienced artists, panel discussions with inspiring women leaders, and interactive sessions that encourage creativity and collaboration.
“We have carefully curated this programme to provide you with the tools, insights, and encouragement needed to express yourselves and to share your unique cultural narratives with the world.”
Okebukola who is the former secretary of the National University Commission (NUC), however, charged the women to believe in their power to interpret cultural expression as well as impart the younger generation.
Okebukola stressed: “I urge you to reflect on the stories you carry within you. Each of you has a unique background and set of experiences that contribute to the rich mosaic of our culture. Your stories are powerful, and they deserve to be shared.
“As young women, you have the power to reinterpret cultural expressions, bringing fresh perspectives that resonate with your generation and beyond.”
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