Founder, International Sheroes Foundation, Mrs Floxxy Menson, has appealed to women of the world that it is not enough to only be a woman but becoming a woman with a cause to effect positive changes in the society.

She made the appeal at the opening ceremony of the Foundation’s event on Tuesday held in NAF Conference Centre, Kado, Abuja, with its theme ‘Advancing Women’s Roles in Business Leadership and Governance’.

The event tagged ‘Be a woman with a cause’ featured discourses on women’s participation in politics, governance, economy, business, as a means to drive growth in all spheres among women.

While emphasising on the focal points of the Foundation, she explained that “this event is creating a platform for women participants to tap into the wealth of knowledge and experiences of great African women who have made a mark and making every woman a cause. In this, we are also bringing young people along with us.”

Extolling NEPAD’s partnership, she said: “We are enthused by our partnership with New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). We have about six objectives but the major one is partnership which we are cementing with NEPAD at the moment. Through this partnership, we have been able to understand that NEPAD is committed to empowering women at all levels to succeed and make a solid impact on the economy, Africa and the world as a whole.”

Continuing, Floxxy appealed that women must be existing with a cause, emphasising that: We love women in politics because they stand out to be heard. This is why politicians take care of us than others. She added: “There must be representation of women in top places in the countries of the world. We are not yet there but we are trying in our empowerment programme. We want to push women forward. We need to promote women capability. We need to make changes in our lives as we believe that staying in our comfort zone is a sign of stagnation.”

Chief Executive Officer CEO of NEPAD Nigeria, Princess Gloria Akobundu, in her brief welcome remark, said there was a need for Nigerian women to talk about advancing the future, saying for this reason, NEPAD Nigeria has developed programmes that would empower women and youth.

Akobundu stated that “the collaboration between NEPAD Nigeria and Sheroes foundation, which gave birth to today’s programme is due to the UN resolution that gave NEPAD’s office the mandate to identify and work with partners in public and private sectors, including civil society and international organisations.”

Speaking further, she explained that the economic and political participation of Nigerian women is germane to actualising most of the objectives expressed in Nigeria Economic Recovery and Growth plan 2017-2020 of President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to her, “I would like to remind us that women are leaders everywhere you look; from a CEO to a housewife that holds together a home. If women can hold together homes and organisation, it is logical that they would do much better in democracies which would expand our democratic frontiers.”

Also speaking, former First Lady of the Republic of Ghana, Konadu Nana Rawlings, said: “I am happy that we are dedicated ladies trying to populate the movement of women and it is because we believe contribution of women is unquantifiable. We do very well everyday. Empowerment and equality of women and men in our countries is a prerequisite for achieving greatness. It’s an issue that is always in my mind.”

H.E Pauline Tallen, Former Deputy Governor of Plateau State, speaking at the event, argued that there is no country in the world that can succeed with the neglect of a high percentage off women as “things are not working in this country because of this neglect.”

•From left: Mrs Floxxy Menson, Founder, International Sheroes; Mrs Maxine Menson, Executive Director of the foundation and Mrs Dayo Benjamin, during the event held in NAF Conference Centre on Tuesday.

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