By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
The Women of Inestimable Values (WIV) Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation, has called on women to invest positively in one another, through business ideas and skill acquisition.
Mrs Blessing Okojie-Eze, President of the foundation, who made the call in an interview on Friday in Lagos, spoke in commemoration of the 2024 International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration.
The theme for the 2024 edition: ‘Invest in women: Accelerate Progress and Inspire Inclusion’, is aimed at tackling women’s economic disempowerment.
Okojie-Eze said that such investment would make women not to be liabilities, but help to increase national productivity, as their potential was still unexploited.
According to her, this is a wake up call for women at various positions, both in government and private sectors, to keep investing in women.
”I believe in collaboration to achieve this; even among us women in our little way, we can support one another by selling business ideas and even train ourselves on skills.
“On our part, we organise empowerment programmes to make impacts in the society; one arm is where we train women in skills acquisition and how to create website and digital marketing.
“The idea is to encourage women to discourage idleness but be meaningfully engaged and productive.
“Thank God for technology, there are lots of stay at home jobs and businesses on the internet.
“Women are capable, especially when such an enabling environment is created for them; even the ones at home, through such forms of training, support and empowerment, can contribute,” she added.
Okojie-Eze commended Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, wife of the President, for supporting women through various platforms.
She appealed to the private and public sectors to complement the government effort and do more in the area of empowerment.
She also sought for a society characterised by equity and inclusivity, where girls and boys are empowered to access and benefit from the same rights, resources, opportunities and protections, fostering a society where every person can thrive.