INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2024: 9MOBILE EMPHASIZES THAT FOSTERING INCLUSION AND INVESTING IN WOMEN WILL DRIVE NATIONAL GROWTH.
9mobile, Nigeria’s telco focused on customer satisfaction, has advocated for increased investments and inclusion of women in all aspects of national life during the 2024 International Women’s Day celebration.
The telco emphasized that a deliberate policy to include women has the capacity to drive national growth and development, highlighting that no society can flourish without the full participation of women.
This was expressed during a webinar titled ‘INVESTING IN WOMEN: The power of diversity and Inclusion’, hosted by 9mobile on X Spaces (formerly Twitter). The webinar featured an all-female panel discussing various perspectives on the topic.
Addressing the importance of community support, networking, and mentorship in helping women overcome barriers, Saidat Lawal-Mohammed, 9mobile’s Director of Marketing Communication, stressed the value of job referrals and recommendations from colleagues and supervisors as essential components of a supportive network.
“In terms of leveraging relationships, I believe in the African adage; ‘if you want to go quick, go alone, and if you want to go far, go together’. For me, opening ourselves up to help or support other people to achieve their desires and their goals can only make us richer,” Lawal-Mohammed remarked, underscoring the significance of women supporting each other to achieve shared goals.
Also contributing to the discussion, 9mobile Brand Ambassador and former Miss Nigeria, Beauty Tukura, emphasized the importance of investing in women to foster inclusion and societal acceptance. Tukura stated, “Investing in women means providing them with resources and opportunities to enhance their personal and economic growth. We empower women by offering financial support and creating platforms for self-expression while preserving their dignity.”
Other panelists included public health physician Dr. Zainab Kwaru Muhammad-Idris, digital expert Bolu Essien, CEO of Bella Africana Buki Asehinde, lifestyle fitness coach Esta Richards, Tosin Adekoya, Head of Digital and Direct Marketing at FCMB, Anthonia Attoh, Head of Risks and Compliance at 9mobile, and Seun Ayodele-Alley, Co-founder of First Delivery.
The conversation highlighted the significant support men provide to women. In her closing remarks, lifestyle fitness coach Esta Richards identified gender inequality and insensitivity as barriers women face, emphasizing the need to address issues such as menstruation, menopause, pregnancy, and workplace victimization. Richards emphasized that being a woman does not diminish the quality of work, even during life phases like pregnancy.
The speakers reiterated the importance of collaboration, trust, self-belief, mentoring, education, work-life balance, gender-sensitive values, responsibility, and intentionality for women in the current global economic landscape. They emphasized that these factors are essential for women to thrive and excel in their endeavors.
Participants agreed that every woman has the potential to drive sustainable change when empowered and given opportunities.
International Women’s Day serves as a global celebration of women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements, while also addressing the challenges they face.
Source: Techeconomy
