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The Pride Launches Mentorship Programme for Young Women in Leadership
By Iyojo Ameh
In a concerted effort to foster female leadership and empower aspiring young women, a non-governmental organization (NGO) known as The Pride, in collaboration with The Ojiudu Foundation, has unveiled a groundbreaking mentorship programme.
The initiative, lead by Mrs. Jennifer Okeke Ojiudu, founder of The Pride, was revealed during the official launch of the Her Brunch held in Abuja on Saturday.
During her address, Jennifer elucidated that The Pride serves as the Female Focused Initiative of the Ojiudu Foundation, dedicated to empowerment and development, while advocating fervently for female inclusion and providing a platform to amplify female leadership voices.
According to her, mentoring young women for future leadership positions is crucial because it helps them develop the skills, confidence, and support network needed to thrive in male-dominated fields.
Speaking also at the launch, Judy Melifonwu, a member of The Pride, expressed enthusiasm for the mentorship programme, highlighting its potential to provide women with invaluable guidance and support as they aspire to ascend to leadership positions.
The programme offers a unique opportunity for women to unite and receive mentorship tailored to their leadership aspirations.
Echoing these sentiments, Dr. Uju Agomoh, emphasized the importance of holistic empowerment for women, acknowledging the progress made while advocating for comprehensive efforts to further empower women in all spheres of life.
She said, “women in Nigerian politics face numerous challenges, including cultural barriers, patriarchal norms, limited access to resources and education, violence and intimidation, and lack of institutional support”.
Additionally, political parties often prioritize male candidates, making it difficult for women to secure nominations and funding for their campaigns. Despite these obstacles, many women in Nigeria continue to actively engage in politics, advocating for gender equality and representation in government.
She therefore advocated for: Legislative Reforms by implementing laws and policies that promote gender equality in politics, such as affirmative action measures or quotas for women representation in government and Political Party Reform by encouraging political parties to adopt internal policies that promote women’s inclusion, such as ensuring gender-balanced candidate lists and providing equal opportunities for women to hold leadership positions within the party.
The core objective of The Pride is to spotlight female leaders and cultivate the leadership potential of young women, nurturing their growth and resilience in the face of challenges. Through mentorship and support, the initiative aims to equip women with the skills, confidence, and resources needed to thrive in leadership roles, thereby contributing to greater gender parity and societal progress.