By Ebunoluwa Sessou

Speakers at the She Spark Conference have called on women to embrace their God-given identity, value and purpose, urging them to rise above societal stereotypes and self-doubt.

The event, which drew women from different walks of life, focused on empowerment, faith, resilience and the role of women in nation building.

Chief Executive Officer of Whitefield Foundation, Dr. Funmi Johnson, in an interview with Vanguard emphasized that women were created equal to men in essence and value.

“In the beginning, God created male and female in His image. That means women are not inferior to men. We are equal in essence and value, though different in biological functions,” she said.

Johnson explained that equality speaks to worth and identity, while equity relates to fairness in treatment and opportunity.

She urged women not to allow family backgrounds, marital status or societal definitions to limit them.

“If anyone’s definition of you contradicts what God has said about you, go back to what God said from the beginning and pursue that. There is no limit to what you can become,” she added.

Drawing from personal experience as the only girl among four brothers, she noted that apart from biological differences, there is nothing stopping women from achieving their goals if they refuse to internalize stereotypes.

She also encouraged women to recognise their contributions within the home and society, describing them as invaluable and foundational.

Meanwhile, the convener of the She Spark conference series and the MD of the Etiquette Place, Yvonne Ebbi, said the initiative was designed to bring relatable stories of emergence and resilience to women across different regions.

According to her, the conference moves from state to state, spotlighting women from each region who have overcome challenges and succeeded despite discouraging backgrounds.

“When women hear stories from people who share their roots, their language and their experiences, it becomes easier to believe that they too can emerge,” she said.

Ebi stressed the importance of showing up consistently, even in difficult seasons.

“Sometimes we underestimate the power of showing up. You may not feel your best, but someone is drawing strength from your consistency and courage,” she said.

She decried the growing trend of low self-worth among young women, particularly on campuses, where some settle for unhealthy relationships due to lack of confidence and financial independence.

“We go to campuses to tell young girls they are worthy and enough. They don’t have to settle for less. Hard work, resilience and character will ultimately pay off,” she stated.

The speakers maintained that when women understand their value and rise to their potential, families, workplaces and communities benefit.

“When a woman emerges, the home is strengthened, the children are better nurtured and society is better positioned for progress,” Ebi added.

Participants at the conference described the event as inspiring and transformative, noting that it reinforced the importance of faith, resilience and self-belief in navigating life’s challenges.