WOW Conversation: Experts Urge Nigerian Women to Rise above Limitations for Global Impact

By Praise Chinecherem

Nigerian women have been challenged to rise above all limitations and obstructions which had undermined their potential for greater and global impact.

The charge came at the 4th edition of WOW Conversation has held in Awka Anambra State, themed “Beyond Boundaries: Women, Effective Visions, and Capacities for Global Change”

Various speakers who delivered papers at the event urged the women to fan their potential to flame to enable them positively impact the society with greater contributions in various fields of human endeavors.

President, Worldwide Organization for Women (WOW) International, Nicoleen Peck reiterated the organisation’s commitment to strengthening the world, as well as building up women, girls, families, children, communities, and religious groups.

She charged participants to fuel their potential and ber resolute about making global impact.

She said, “You might think global change starts in your town, your nation, maybe in your neighborhood, but that’s not necessarily true. The global change starts in the heart of every single person.

“I believe in the concept of mission, which means that every person has a purpose. We have mission or purpose within our families, our church congregations, our groups of friends and our community. We have mission and purpose with our God, and in our nation.

“WOW is committed to strengthening the world, as well as building up women, girls, families, children, communities, and religious groups.

“We want everyone to find the power that they have within so that they’re not allowing governments and other people who will exploit them to take advantage of them,” she said.

Chief Executive of WOW Africa, Chief Mrs Carol Ugochukwu whose 80th birthday anniversary coincided with the WOW Conversation for 2025 sent her message to the epoch making gathering.

“As Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta said, I raise up my own voice-not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard. We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.

”As we ponder the theme, “Beyond Boundaries: Women, Effective Visions, and Capacities for Global Change”, let us ask ourselves – how can I become a community builder or change maker?

“Service is the rent that you pay for room on this earth.” (Margaret Thatcher) Go forth and create many ripples,” Ugochukwu charged fellow women,” her message partly read.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice and Solicitor-General of Anambra State, Mrs Ngozi Iwouno, in her keynote speech titled “Not to sale”, enumerated factors fueling human trafficking to include: poverty, harmful cultural traditions, ignorance, weak law enforcement and greediness.

She noted, “Trafficking is not just about movement. It is about exploitation. It’s about deception, cohesion and violence to treat women as products rather than as human beings.

“Things our happening under our nose and we ignore them. According to the UNODC 2022 Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, 71 percent of all trafficked victims globally are women and children and 90 percent of those trafficked for sexual exploitation are women.

“We must therefore rise against this dangerous monster that has reduced humans to products for sale.

“We must bring back the lost cherished societal values. Our children want to make it quickly without effort. It is our responsibility to guide them alright.”

An Associate Professor in the Department of English Language and Literature, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Dr Ifeoma Odinye delivered another presentation titled “Empowering women for global impact: Visionary Leadership Beyond Boundaries”

Odinye, the Deputy Director, Centre for Gender Studies, UNIZIK, submitted that women constitute greatest hurdle to women advancement.

“We undo ourselves. We must go back and cleanse ourselves. To be empowered, you must be focused and consistent with what you’re doing.

“Some of the challenges hampering the progress of women include: limited access to leadership role, gender bias, inability to balance work and family life as well as lack of role models.

“You must have a vision and must be in control. Do not disrespect people. A woman that is humble and soft spoken goes far in life. Women are meant to be soft, bold and sweet,” Odinye said.

The event featured goodwill messages from some dignitaries including the MD CEO, Anambra Broadcasting Service, ABS, Mr Kriss Muolokwu, and Sir Chuka Nnabuife, the Managing Director, Civic and Social Reformation Office.

Dignitaries cut the 80th birthday anniversary cake on behalf of the CEO WOW Africa, Chief Ugochukwu, who was represented by Dr Oge Okeke.

Three members of WOW teams across the state went home with brand-new grinding machines.

Other team members also received gift of wrapper and cash.

Participants returned home with resolution to keep the conversation on as they earnestly anticipate next year’s edition (WOW Conversation 005).