By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – AS Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate the 2025 International Women’s Day, IWD, women have been charged to amplify their voices and promote unity in the country.

Speaking on a Meet-Up webinar tagged ‘Her Voice’ organised by the Creatives Nigeria to mark the day, a Digital Journalist with British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Africa, Irenitemi Somuyiwa-Mbeha, said it is very important women take their destiny in their hands to make their voices heard despite the challenges they contend with, and see how they can make their mark in the nation building.

Somuyiwa-Mbeha also corroborated the theme of the IWD, ‘Accelerate Action’ therefore, called for more leadership positions and responsibilities for women by having them fully represented in different offices and be on the table where decisions are made concerning them.

She also maintained that injustice thrives where there is lack of education, hence women need education in all ramifications to push for their rights and protection by making quality decisions.

Meanwhile, Somuyiwa-Mbeha, speaking on her profession as a journalist about women’s plight, said she has amplified their issues with her articles to the world.

She said: “We need to keep talking about what we go through. It puts a spotlight on the issue we are talking about.

“Talk to people that can help bring about a change. People that can amplify your voice and bring about a change.

“I try to write stories about gender inequality and injustice faced by women. Equality will be giving everyone an opportunity to speak out.

“I think women should take a side and speak up so certain things do not continue. Everybody’s voice is important and can contribute and bring about a change we are looking for.”

The anchor of the programme, Khabo Masanabo, a business Development Analyst in a remark pointed out that women need to be educated more in order to strengthen the push for policies that would benefit and make them relevant in the scheme of things.

Masanabo also added that women to actually ‘Accelerate Action’, is for them to kick-start the change they deserve and desire in their daily lives before going on to the larger stage.

“If I am to push for a policy to help women, it will be for every woman to have quality education. Once a woman has quality education, it will help her to make the right decision about her health, her family and other things in her life. I will advocate for affordable education in early stages for girls so they can enlighten them”, Masanabo said.

Meanwhile, in another remark, Helena Taylor from the Tech space called for the need to have more research about the woman’s body to help them understand their anatomy better.

However, Taylor called on women to support with strong unity and focus for other women who have suffered gender based violence and lift each other up in the face of challenges.

“I will ask women to build each other up and find a community in other women because they understand what they are going through”, she added.

Meanwhile, the Founder, The Creatives Nigeria, and convener, Her Voice Meet-up, Makoji Kelvin Ibrahim, explained that Her Voice is a safe place for women to share their experiences and grow, “Each of these Meet-up is designed to create a comfortable, inclusive space where women can feel supported, valued and empowered.

“We will ensure it is a space for open dialogue and personal growth. Our goal is to raise awareness and spark meaningful conversations about issues women face globally.”

Basically, to ‘Accelerate Action’ and bring about change, a Business Analyst and a participant, Helen Asimegbe, asserted that some actions that need to be taken: Enforce Policy Reforms relating to women; Have a legal framework; Promote Economic Empowerment amongst women; Advocate for education and skills acquisition for women; and providing support for women who faced Gender Based Violence -Use technology to proffer solutions to grow businesses.