Rotary International, District 9110, Nigeria has celebrated this year’s International Women’s Day in a grand style by collaborating with Lions International, District 404 A1, Nigeria and Project Alert (Violence Against Women).
The well- attended joint celebration was marked with empowerment of young girls and Symposium to address the theme of IWD 2023‘ DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for gender equality’ held at the Rotary Centre in Ikeja, Lagos. This first of its kind collaboration has characterized the administration of the First Female Governor of Rotary District 9110 in 41 years, Rotarian Omotunde Lawson, FCAI who is an architect of strategic partnerships since assuming office.
In her opening remarks, she said ‘although today is designated for women, but this event will not be complete without focusing on our girls who are the upcoming women, hence the special empowerment training put together for them as part of the Women’s day celebration.’ She also stress the need for equal opportunities for both males and females rather than focus on one gender more than the other in the spirit of embracing equity.
The Guest Speakers include ESV, Rotarian Olayinka Patunola-Ajayi, FNIVS, FRICS, mni who spoke on ‘Equity in Girl Child Education– Increased Access to Digital Skills’, Lion (Princess) Adetope Tychus, Life Member, Board of Trustee, Lions Clubs Int’l MD404, Nigeria who spoke on ‘Gender and Disability Inequality for Women in the Workplace’ , and Mrs Josephine Effah-Chukwuma, Founder/Executive Director Project Alert who spoke on ‘Violence Against Women’
A skill acquisition section was also organized for female students across secondary schools in Lagos and Ogun states where the girls were taught how to make reusable sanitary pads, habit of hygiene and production of household consumables.