WISCAR Emphasises Gender Equality, Women Empowerment

Funmi Ogundare 

Influential leaders and accomplished professionals recently converged on the Muson Centre, Lagos for the Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR) annual leadership and mentoring conference 2023, designed to advance gender equality and women empowerment.  

The programme, which had the theme, ‘In Her Own Voice: Forging Ahead’, served as a platform for women to amplify their voices and share their stories of success, challenges, and lessons learned.

Gender equality, inclusive governance, and sustainable development were also emphasised.

In her keynote, an award-winning media mogul and entrepreneur, Mo Abudu, explained why it is important for women’s voices to be amplified in leadership. 

“in a world where diversity drives innovation, it is essential to recognise and elevate the unique voices of women,” said Abudu. “WISCAR’s commitment to ‘Forging Ahead’ is a commendable effort toward creating a more inclusive and equitable future.” 

She recalled the challenges, breakthroughs, and lessons learnt.

“If you can think it, you can do it. Always plan and be prepared,” Abudu added.

The visionary founder of WISCAR, Mrs. Amina Oyagbola, expressed delight about the engagement at the conference, saying, “WISCAR was founded on the belief that empowered women are at the core of societal progress. Our annual conference is a testament to the collective commitment to fostering leadership, mentorship, and empowerment. 

“‘In Her Own Voice’ is not just a theme; it encapsulates the essence of the transformative journey we envision for women in successful careers.” 

The programme witnessed panel discussions, interactive workshops, and networking sessions, fostering connections, shared experiences, and collaborative exploration. 

It culminated in formulating actionable recommendations for legal and policy changes, specifically focusing on advancing gender equality and promoting inclusive growth.

Abudu was also honoured with the 12th distinguished WISCAR award.

In his assessment, the 2023 ALMC Planning Committee chairperson, Tokunboh George-Taylor stated, “We witnessed the power of collective voices, experiences, and ideas coming together. ‘In Her Own Voice’ is not just about words; it is a call to action for all of us to play our part in building a more equal and equitable world.”