In commemoration of the International Women’s Day (IWD), the CEO/founder of GMYT Fashion Academy in Lekki, Lagos, Dr (Princess) Kelechi Oghene like other influential women of the world has sent a goodwill message to Nigerian women advising them to erase self-limiting beliefs from their minds and aspire to rise to greater heights.
The United Nations had set aside March 8, of every Year as a day to mark the IWD. This 2025 edition was themed “Accelerate Action.”
At a seminar organised in a popular hotel in Victoria Island the fashion educationist, motivational speaker and philanthropist lamented the continued victimization and unhealthy treatment of women and girls in Nigeria by the stronger gender, stressing that the ugly trend must be nipped in the bud.
In an emotionally laden tone she used the platform to call on all stakeholders to continue to exert their different levels of influence, classical rhetorical appeals, as well as right legislation so as to give women their right of place and engender equality wherever they found themselves.
Delivering her keynote address at the high profile gathering, Princess Oghene stated, “As the world marks the 2025 edition of International Women’s Day, the occasion essentially offers yet another opportunity for humanity to review and reflect progress made on issues of women and girls. Meanwhile, this year’s theme: “Accelerate Action” is interestingly apt and also serves as a strong call to appreciate the efforts of women and girls in breaking the glass ceilings, aspire to succeed and attain greater heights in any field of their endeavors.
“Rather than just sharing inspirational stories and coming together to discuss the importance of empowerment, real change will require everyone taking positive and continuous action so that inclusion becomes part of our individual, company, industry, and societal DNA.
“There remains far more brutal and terrifying incarnations of actual gender persecution which we must face together, such as forced enslavement, sexual abuse, harmful traditional/religious practices, absolute repression of far too many women and girls around the globe. We must remember these women in our daily prayers and use our combined resources to help free them from such unthinkable and inhumane circumstances.
“I continue to firmly believe that education is the most powerful way to promote and ensure women’s rights. Together we will do this not only by striving for gender parity at all levels of education, but also by showing all children, and especially boys, that it is through empathy, respect and kindness that we achieve our collective potential.
“Together we can indeed educate and reinforce the importance of tolerance and a society filled with inclusivity regardless of race, religion, gender or culture. The reality is that men and women do not start from the same place in the workforce. In industries like fintech, fashion, journalism, banking, engineering or even in politics; the playing field has never been level, women have historically had to fight harder for the same opportunities, the same recognition, and the same leadership roles. This has to change, and it starts with deliberate action, not just words.
“I believe there are many people who want to make a difference, but are unsure where to start or how. There is need for a paradigm shift and to come together to engender practical steps and tangible actions that give guidance on how to contribute to things like closing the gender pay gap, raising awareness of women’s health issues in the workplace, creating psychologically safe environments and building workable solutions by exerting different levels of influence, classical rhetorical appeals, as well as right legislations at the parliament that are inclusive, strong and instructive by design without any unnecessary ambiguity or lacuna.
“This starts with including actionable steps in every discussion we have at different fora, locally and internationally. The call to action could be as simple as asking people to share case studies on initiatives that have had a positive impact for their company or community, or sharing the details of how to join a relevant initiative or membership organisation like United Nations or any relevant NGOs, of which I am also an Ambassador of note in this regard. The bigger and broader the action, the better, but it’s often the accumulation of smaller, more sustained commitments that move the dial.
“Women mustn’t forget that to create inclusion and equity, we need to involve as many diverse people and groups as possible. For instance, we shouldn’t ever just talk to women about inclusion for women, we need allies and advocates of all genders to take an interest and be an active agent of change. However, we should also note that we are not in conflict with our men, there is no point being aggressive or combative, but one thing is certain, women shouldn’t and will not play second fiddle and here is the time to Accelerate Action without encumbrance.”
