Society Moves to Address Risks Faced Women At Workplace

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Society of Women in Safety, Health and Environment – Africa (SOWSHE-A) has resolved to address the risks faced by women at the workplaces.

The year-long project, funded by the National Examination Board for Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) also aimed at bringing to the fore the risks faced by women who are often equipped with ill-fitting PPE designed primarily for men.

According to a statement issued Wednesday,
PPE is a critical last line of defense in workplace safety.

It read: “ However, when PPE doesn’t fit properly, it fails to provide adequate protection and may even introduce new hazards.”

It stressed that for many African women in the workforce, this is a daily reality—poorly fitted clothing, footwear, and ill-suited protective headgear can all increase the risk of injury.

It added that SOWSHE-A’s research would include public demonstrations, simulations, and community outreach campaigns to draw attention to the urgent need for anthropometrically appropriate PPE for Black African women.

It explained that the organisaton’s focus is not only to document the challenges but also to advocate for systemic changes in PPE design, manufacturing, and distribution.

The Founder of SOWSHE-A, Funmi Adegbola, was quoted to have described the project as a significant step forward in their mission to protect African women in the workplace.

She said: “We are proud to lead this initiative and grateful for NEBOSH’s partnership. Their support amplifies our voice and our impact as we work to create a safer, more equitable future for women across the continent.

“Through this pioneering effort, SOWSHE-A and NEBOSH are positioning themselves at the forefront of advocacy, research, and acton on behalf of African women whose safety has too often been overlooked.

“We are thrilled to have NEBOSH’s support in advancing this important initiative (research into PPE for African women). Their commitment to workplace safety and health aligns perfectly with our goal of ensuring that African women are equipped with the right PPE to protect their well-being.

“This collaboration is not only vital for improving the safety of women workers, but it also strengthens the movement for greater gender equity in the workplace.”

Also, NEBOSH Social Development Manager, Mariyah Mandhu pointed out that that there is limited international data related to women’s protective equipment.

She added: “By funding SOWSHE-A’s work, we’re proud to support a project that will bring meaningful change. We believe this research will guide the development of more inclusive, safer PPE standards globally.”