By Damilola Ogunsakin

As the global community continues to reflect on the milestones of gender advocacy, Nigerian women who participated in the 1995 Beijing Women’s Conference convened by the United Nations, shared powerful recollections of the event and how it helped shape the country’s gender landscape.

Among those selected to cover the historic conference was Dr. Nkechi Eke Nwankwo, a journalist, author, and advocate for women’s economic empowerment. Although she was fully prepared to attend, she was unable to travel after giving birth just a week before the event. Despite this, she remained engaged, closely monitoring the proceedings from home.

For many of the journalists who did attend, the conference was a defining moment. Broadcast journalist and producer Debrah Ogazuma described it as an unforgettable experience. “It was a wonderful experience. There were women from all parts of the world. We went as part of the NGO group. Beijing was well-prepared — we were able to move around, attend all our workshops, and didn’t feel overwhelmed even though the conference itself was massive,” Ogazuma said.

The Nigerian media’s involvement in the conference was greatly supported by collaborative efforts among government, NGOs, and media stakeholders. The late Professor Felicia Ikejuba was acknowledged by Dr. Nwankwo and Ogazuma for her role in facilitating their participation.

In the video above, Dr. Nwankwo and Ogazuma share their reflections on what Nigeria’s gender space looked like before and after the Beijing Conference. Watch the full interview to hear more about their experiences and the lessons from Beijing.