frican Business Women’s Advocacy Forum focuses on economic empowerment

As Nigeria hosts the African Business Women’s Advocacy Forum on Thursday, this week, businesswomen’s advocacy efforts for increased economic empowerment across four African countries – Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, and host Nigeria, would be the highlight.

Vital Voices Global Partnership and Women in Management, Business, and Public Service (WIMBIZ) has also announced the hosting of the Supporting Public Advocacy for Regional Competitiveness (SPARC) Programme and Forum, with theme “Women’s Leadership-Why Africa is Rising,” in Nigeria.

Celena Green, senior programme manager, Africa of Vital Voices Global Partnership, a Washington DC, US-based organisation, said this year’s SPARC Forum in Lagos would discuss “the importance of women’s leadership in Africa’s economic growth, and the advocacy efforts that women’s business organisations are undertaking to promote greater investment in women, and improvements in the business environment that will provide equal opportunities for women’s economic participation.

‘‘Research has shown that gender equality is not only the right thing to do, but also good for business. Companies and governments that diversify their procurement see improved savings and efficiencies by opening the process to new players. Companies that have greater diversity in management and leadership also see greater returns, allowing them to be more prosperous, create jobs, and contribute to development and poverty alleviation. That is why women and men in the SPARC programme are together advocating for equality of opportunity.’’

According to Green, the SPARC Forum will comprise two panels: the first panel will focus on the impact of women in leadership positions in the private sector, while the second panel will be on the importance of government investment in women’s business development. About 75-100 attendees from civil society, and public and private sectors are expected at the event.

HOPE MOSES-ASHIKE