On March 8th, 2024, as the world came together to mark International Women’s Day, W.TEC hosted an empowering webinar themed “Inspire Inclusion: Strategies for Diversity and Equality”. This virtual gathering became a beacon of inspiration, bringing together a panel of distinguished speakers who shared their insights and paved the way for actionable change in the realms of inclusion and gender diversity.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Ajo Afolabi-Balogun, Bode Abifarin, Bimpe Olufemi, and Lilian Olubi, with Yemisi Efunnuga skillfully moderating the session. Each speaker contributed deeply to the richness of the conversation, exploring nuanced strategies to bridge gender gaps within the tech industry and beyond.
Key areas of discussion included the critical need for tailored mentorship programs, comprehensive outreach efforts, and inclusive hiring practices aimed at fostering gender parity. The significance of securing commitment from male leadership to support women in STEM fields was underscored, alongside the advocacy for inclusivity across different cultures and age groups.
Our panelists illuminated the path forward with actionable takeaways, urging the launch of new initiatives to empower women, advocating for unbiased recruiting practices, and emphasizing the importance of making educational programs both affordable and accessible. They called for a shift in measuring productivity, focusing on deliverables rather than hours logged, and highlighted the essential role of mentorship in nurturing women’s careers in technology.
As we reflect on the impactful discussions from our webinar, W.TEC is more committed than ever to implementing these actionable items. From fostering an inclusive recruitment strategy to launching initiatives that spotlight women’s achievements in tech, our resolve is steadfast.
In line with our speakers’ recommendations, we are set to promote diversity and inclusion at every level, ensuring that W.TEC remains at the forefront of empowering women and girls in the tech space. Our journey towards achieving gender equality in STEM continues, inspired by the wisdom and guidance shared during our IWD webinar.
Together, let’s commit to making inclusion not just a strategy, but a core value that guides our efforts to inspire and empower every woman and girl in Nigeria and beyond.