By Ozioruva Aliu

BENIN CITY – Amb. Grace Imagbenikaro, a Human Resources Consultant, has called on women to brave the odds and overcome obstacles hindering their successes in their workplaces.

She stated this in a statement issued in Benin City to mark the 2024 International Women’s Day (IWD).

According to her “While we pursue inclusion and more opportunities for women, it is crucial to address the challenges knitted into the fabric of motherhood alongside ambition and career.

Recognizing and addressing these issues ensures that women can fully embrace the opportunities given after being included. International Women’s Day is a call to action, urging us to confront and overcome the obstacles hindering women’s success in the workplace, fostering an environment where both career and motherhood can coexist harmoniously.”

She said that the survey she is currently carrying out outlined some of the challenges hindering women from getting to their peak which included gender discrimination, work-life balance, society pressure among others.

According to her, “Women encounter systemic issues such as gender discrimination, sexual harassment, and micromanagement. These obstacles hinder their professional growth and contribute to workplace inequality.

“The ongoing survey so far reveals that women are facing discrimination that limits their career advancement. It is crucial to highlight the importance of breaking down these barriers to foster a more inclusive work environment.”

She said “The struggle for work-life balance becomes more pronounced as women face the stress of balancing professional commitments with household duties, especially without external support.”

On family expectations and employment discrimination, Imagbenikaro said women face unfair expectations from society as the success or failure within the homefront basically rests on their shoulders. Furthermore, they are sometimes denied employment due to present or potential pregnancies “This discrimination not only deprives qualified women of opportunities but perpetuates gender bias in the workplace.”