By Jonah Nwokpoku

Vital Voices Global Partnership and Women in Management, Business, and Public Service (WIMBIZ) have announced that they will host the Supporting Public Advocacy for Regional Competitiveness (SPARC) Program and Forum in Lagos.

In a statement signed by Lere Ojedokun, Group Head, Strategic Communications Services, Chain Reactions Nigeria on behalf of the organisations, the one-day forum will hold on May 23, 2013.

During the programme, businesswomen’s advocacy efforts for increased economic empowerment across Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, and Nigeria will be highlighted.

Celena Green, Senior Program Manager, Vital Voices Global Partnership, Africa said, “the forum will discuss the importance of women’s leadership in Africa’s economic growth, and the advocacy efforts that women’s business organizations are undertaking to promote greater investment in women, and improvements in the business environment that will provide equal opportunities for women’s economic participation,” she said.

‘‘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,” she noted.