Employers have been charged to demonstrate inclusive leadership behaviour and support women’s initiative ideas to succeed at work.
The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Women Affairs, Social development and gender empowernment Mrs Peju Babafemi said this while declaring open a 5 day women leadership conference organised by Nigeria Labour Congress (Women Committee) in Ado Ekiti.
Mrs Babafemi emphasised that employers must build trust and confront inequities head on through organisation wide strategies.
She disclosed that Governor Kayode Fayemi recognises gender equality strategy and pre requisite for achieving developmental goals with the provision of Ekiti State Gender development policy 2011, Ekiti State Gender Based Violence prohibition law 2011 and equal opportunities law 2013.
The PS described women as having a much more democratic leadership style, through participatory and an inclusive followership noted that the training is needed to build the capacity of women to be well equipped as leaders.
She explained some of the challenges women faced at workplace to include sexual harrassment, violence and non inclusive workplace amongst others and equally proferred some suggestions aimed at addressing the challenges which include development of leadership competencies through training, learning from role models of successful women amongst others.
Earlier in her remarks, the Chairperson women Committee of Nigeria Labour Congress Lagos State, Comrade Olubunmi Arowoduye-Abikoye gave reasons for organising the programme as mobilising and enhancing the awareness of women workers which will in turn facilitate the productivity of individuals to achieve the desired change in the society.
She explained that there is need to collectively safeguard and enhance the role of women in the workplace noted that women must continue to empower themselves through education, training, networking, advocacy and full participation in the political process in Nigeria.
Participants at the conference include FIDA representatives, Bigif NGO, Gender right advocates ,NUT women wing amongst others who also gave their keynote addresses.
Last modified: November 29, 2018
