The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD 2025) – “Accelerating “Action” – truly reinforces the urgent need for women to take their position in every society.
As part of its efforts to promote the purpose of this year’s celebration, the MSBON Foundation has renewed its commitment to empowering 5,000 people through mentorship programs, sensitisation campaigns, and community services.
Co-founder of the MSBON Foundation, Helen Chikodi Nwanisobi, advised women to have a clear idea of their life goals because this is crucial for overcoming any obstacles that may stand in their way to success.
Speaking to a group of people gathered at an event hosted by her organisation as part of their activities to mark this year’s IWD on Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Abuja, Nwanisobi stated that the theme of the celebration itself buttresses her point because it calls for women to do more than just talk.
Women in Nigeria, like in many other parts of the world, continue to encounter problems in different aspects of their lives, such as education, leadership, and careers, as well as socioeconomic benefits. These barriers, she claims, have hindered many of them from reaching their full potential in life.
In light of this knowledge, the MSBON Foundation brought together key players to discuss these issues and offer ideas that can actually accelerate practical and real-life action. By doing this, the social rights advocate added, her nonprofit organisation is contributing to empowering women, students, and young people in addition to corporate enterprises to advance the general welfare of citizens for the growth and benefit of the public.
“So, the first thing is knowing what you want and building your confidence. I tell every young lady, what you say you want to become, you could be. You can only not become that thing when you say you will not,” Nwanisobi stated.
She went on to emphasise the importance of the environment and stress its critical role in addressing the subject matter. Mentorship is another vital experience she believes every woman needs to excel and attain their God-given biological rights, which is why her establishment commemorated the IWD and used it to create a platform for stakeholders’ engagement with mentors who will inspire the participants no matter their diverse fields of endeavour.
“We own our future,” she tells her fellow women, “and that is why I said we are the table.”
As a result, MSBON’s co-founder invited all stakeholders to collaborate with her organisation and act as mentors to motivate and help people in attaining their life goals.
The CEO of Vivacity Development, Oluwakemi Ann-Melody Areola, wants more women to be aware of the rapid changes in the world and what they can do to keep up with them.
According to her, there is need to identify female role models in the development space, and amplify the good things that they are doing to inspire and encourage other women to pursue opportunities to improve their self-development.
“It is very important that we get those good messages out there,” she said.
Consider information technology, for example; she advocated that women should be educated on new communication tools to help them change their perspectives and deploy them for social good.
The event began with opening statements by officials from development agencies, civil society organisations, and other thought leaders, who shared their opinions on the celebration’s topic and what can be done to help women accelerate action wherever they find themselves.
The highlevel panel discussion, which featured both men and women to maintain balance in the discussion, was a major highlight at the occasion.
In summary, the IWD 2025 is a rallying cry for gender equality, urging people, groups, and governments to work together to create a more equitable and just world for all girls and women.
By Etta Michael Bisong, Abuja