By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A programme will hold on Wednesday, March 8, 2017, at the Stock Exchange House, Lagos to mark the 2017 International Women’s Day.
The event, themed ‘Transcending Gender Limitations’, is organised by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in partnership with Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative, United Nations Women, United Nations Global Compact, International Finance Corporation, the World Federation of Exchanges and Women in ETFs.
Business Post gathered that the half-day symposium is headlined by the first female Professor of History in Nigeria and author of ‘Nigerian Women Pioneers & Icons.’ Professor Bolanle Awe.
The event will also feature a panel discussion on ‘Transcending Gender Limitations,’ while the panellists comprise women from various spheres of social and economic activity, who have shattered the glass ceiling to succeed in their chosen profession.
Some of them are Mrs Ronke Sokefun, Commissioner for Urban & Physical Planning in Ogun State; Ms Ngozi Edozien, founder and Managing Director of Invivo Partners Limited; Mrs Betty Irabor, Founder and Publisher of Genevieve Magazine; Ms Tinu Awe, General Counsel and Head, Regulation, NSE; Ms Pai Gamde, Acting Head, Corporate Services Division, NSE and Mrs Mojisola Adeola, Council Secretary, NSE.
These women will share their unique journeys with participants while engaging in a focused deliberation that will further increase knowledge and awareness of the challenges and responses to gender equality in Nigeria.
The symposium id in its third consecutive year and is aimed to celebrate the social and economic achievements of women in many spheres of life and discuss avenues to accelerate gender parity.
Attendees at the event are drawn from corporate, education, government and non-governmental sectors.
According to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NSE, Mr Oscar Onyema, promoting gender equality and empowering women is a priority for the Exchange.
“At the NSE, we promote a working environment that is inclusive for all as we believe that achieving gender equality is paramount to developing the society.
“We have a female to male employees’ ratio of 1:2 and we are working towards improving the number.
“We are proud to host this symposium that allows us every year to bear witness to an exchange of stimulating stories of women’s achievements as well as celebrate what women can do and what women have done.”
“As a member of the Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative (SSEI), the Exchange is playing its part to accelerate the achievement of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 which seeks to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls by 2030,” he said.
Mr Onyema further stated that “The Exchange will join other exchanges around the world on the ‘Ring the Bell for Gender Equality’ drive, by using our Closing Gong ceremony to highlight the business case for women’s economic empowerment and also to highlight opportunities for the private sector to advance gender equality and sustainable development”.
“Reinforcing our commitment to eliminate gender inequality, we will be launching an Economic Dividend of Gender Equality (EDGE) campaign aimed at educating our listed companies and dealing members on the significance and economic importance of bridging gender equality.
“In addition, we will inaugurate NSE Gender Equality Men (GEM), a group of men who will support women in NSE towards achieving their potentials and help them to navigate work place challenges”.
Across the globe, International Women’s Day on March 8 represents an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the achievements of women, encouraging effective action while calling for greater equality.
Attendees at the NSE event will be able to win gift prizes provided by the following supporters of the event – Taos Cosmetics, BNatural Spa, Ethnik by Tunde Owolabi, Luxury Bargains, Keekx, Vane Beauty and Studio 24 Nigeria, Olori Cosmetics.
Adedapo Adesanya