AFIDFF/C4C Celebrate International Women’s Day,
AFIDFF .
The African International Documentary Foundation (AFIDFF) in collaboration with Conversations for Change (C4C) celebrated the 2020 International Women’s Day which was tagged “The Voice of Women” The event which took place on the 5th of March 2020 at the Thought Pyramid Art Centre, Wuse 2 Abuja – Nigeria had young people, dignitaries and remarkable great women leaders from all fields of life/endeavor in attendance.
The celebration was aimed at realizing women’s right, advocating for equality and inspiring the next generation of young female leaders. The event was indeed a huge success as these great inspirational women leaders shared their life experiences so as to encourage and motivate the younger female generation as they pass through various stages in life. This year’s theme: “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Right” is a great call for women to be given an equal opportunity with their male counterparts in all spheres of life – ranging from equal pay; equal sharing of unpaid care and domestic work; an end to sexual harassment and all forms of violence against women and girls; flexible structure; healthcare services that respond to their needs; and equal participation in political life and decision-making in all areas of life.
The Director General of African International Documentary Festival – Ms. Malame Ngamariju Mangzha welcomedeveryone to the event and talked about why the event was put together by AFFIDF and C4C. She said that the 2020 International Women’s Day is a great one as the theme centers on gender equality which is the key barrier that have set women back over the years. She said that many women have done lots of great work with lots of success stories recorded but due to gender inequality, are not well recognized with lots of women/girls not given opportunities to explore and excel both in their careers and other fields of lives due to gender biases. Therefore, she emphasized that this year’s theme is a wakeup call for all women to advocate and ensure that gender equality is fully embraced in our nation and the world at large.
In attendence was the Chairperson of the occasion Mrs Thelma Iremiren one time Permanent Secretary to the Federation, Engr Ebele Ofunneamaka Okeke FNSE, FICE, OON, CFR the first female head of service to the federation, Dr. Adaoha . C Okwuosa (Mrs) OON , one time Permanent Secretary to Civil Service in Nigeria and a pioneer Commissioner to ECOWAS (2007 – 2012), Mrs Esther Ahudiyu Mangzha Former Director General of National Centre for women Development, Ms Regina C. Amadi Njoku one time Assistant Director General and the Regional Director for Africa of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Apostle Debrah Eunice Gordon Osagiede and Dr. Kechi Ogbuagu(UNFPA Rtd, MB.CHB,Leeds,NWACP and founder of Conversations for Change (C4C) was the co- organizer of the event.
During the event, participants were thrilled with spoken words from 3 young women while four women, Mrs Esther Mangzha, Mrs Chinze Ojobo, Miss Fati Lawal, Dr. Eleanor Nwadinobi were recognized by the AFIDFF as the Voice of the Women and their stories told to inspire other women.
As a way of celebrating achievements of outstanding women, there was also the unveiling of the 100 and more aspiring leading women who have contributed a lot to the greatness of our nation. The Special Adviser to the president on Non-Governmental Organizations Dr. Wole Aboderin was invited to do the unveiling. The first set of 60 Women will be made public on 1st of October 2020 when Nigeria will be 60.
The chairman of the organizing committee Dr. Prince Awuzie said that it was a key project mapped out for year 2020 .
The Chairman of the event – Mrs. Thelma Iremiran, OON, MFR. thanked the organizers for the great event and also thanked everyone for their active participation and urged all women to continue to advocate for gender equality.
AFIDFF will continue to speak out for women, celebrate and tell stories of inspiring women within the country and globally.
