Guardian Woman Festival Kicks Off with Call to Action on Gender Equality

Mary Nnah

The Guardian Woman Festival, a month-long celebration of women’s empowerment, has kicked off in Lagos with a call to action on gender equality. The festival, themed “Give to Gain,” aims to promote reciprocity and support women’s growth in Nigeria.

Speaking during a press conference at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Monday, Anita Athena Ibru, The Guardian Woman Festival Creator and Executive Director, Federal Palace Hotel/ Chief Strategy Officer, Global, The Guardian, said the festival was inspired by her desire to create a platform where women could share their experiences, challenges, and achievements.

“We wanted to create a space where women could come together, network, and learn from each other,” Ibru said.

She emphasised the importance of creating a platform for women to share their stories. “I wanted to find a way to have people who could attend for free, so the wider population could come and learn the content,” she said, explaining the inspiration behind the festival. “It’s a festival, not just an event – come and experience it!”

The festival, a month-long celebration of women’s achievements, promises to tackle pressing issues like gender-based violence and inequality.

“The theme ‘Give to Gain’ is about reciprocity – giving back to the community and gaining from the experiences of others. It’s about understanding that when we invest in women, we strengthen families, organisations, and the economy”, Ibru noted further.

She emphasised that the month-long festival will feature panel discussions, exhibitions, and workshops on various topics, including gender-based violence, inequality, and women’s leadership, all designed to inspire and empower women.

“These issues are part of what women go through, and the festival aims to address them head-on”, she added.

We have partners like WARIF, Women at Risk International Foundation, who are working to support women affected by violence and conflict. We also have international women’s charities that deal with conflicts in the north and how they affect women”, she added.

Ibru highlighted the festival’s focus on content and conversation. “What are women doing? What are their issues? What are their challenges? What are their achievements?” she asked, emphasising the importance of exploring these questions.

As Nigeria grapples with the challenges facing women, The Guardian Woman Festival offers a beacon of hope. It’s a call to action for women, innovators, and organisations to come together and bridge the gap. With its focus on empowerment, innovation, and inclusion, the festival promises to be a game-changer for women in tech and beyond.

“This is not just a celebration; it’s a movement. A movement to empower women, to amplify their voices, and to create a more inclusive society,” Ibru said, emphasizing the festival’s significance. With the Guardian Woman Festival, Nigeria is taking a significant step towards bridging the gap and unlocking the full potential of women in tech and beyond.

Ibru highlighted the importance of strategic giving and corporate social responsibility (CSR) in promoting women’s empowerment. She urged organisations to invest in women’s leadership development, wellbeing, skills, and enterprise opportunities, saying it is not charity, but building human capital.

“CSR is not a logo on a banner; it’s about creating long-term impact,” Ibru said. “We want organisations to use this platform to deliver CSR with integrity and create measurable impact. When brands invest in women, they are building the talent pipeline they will later complain does not exist.”

The festival will culminate in an awards ceremony on March 27, recognising outstanding women in various fields. Ibru emphasised that the festival is not just a celebration, but a call to action.

“We want women to take charge of their lives, to support each other, and to demand equality,” Ibru said. “This is a movement that will drive change, and we invite everyone to join us.”

Ibru also shared her personal perspective on the concept of “Give to Gain,” saying, “For me, ‘Gain’ is like the return on investment on my time, which I value more and more as I age. I want to be fully invested in what I decide to ‘Give’ to. It’s about creating boundaries and deciding strategically where to spend my energy.”

The event is open to the public, and interested participants can register on the Guardian’s website.

With its focus on reciprocity and empowerment, the Guardian Woman Festival promises to be a significant milestone in Nigeria’s women’s empowerment calendar.

Federal Palace Hotel, where the festival is being held, is a landmark location that carries national significance and pride, Ibru said, adding that it’s the right environment to host a month-long programme that promotes women’s progress and leadership.

“We want March to be a month where women don’t just celebrate, but build, invest, and exchange value,” Ibru said.

“We want women to leave this festival with relationships they can activate, knowledge they can apply, and opportunities they can pursue”, she added.

The Guardian’s Head of Digital, Dave Fowler, emphasized the importance of representation in the digital space. “Google evaluates websites based on their efforts to promote diversity and inclusion. We are proud to support The Guardian Woman Festival and amplify women’s voices,” he said.

By showcasing women’s achievements and contributions, The Guardian is helping to shift the narrative and create a more inclusive digital landscape.

Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos is also throwing its weight behind the initiative, offering a 20% discount on food, beverage, and rooms for women throughout March. “Women are special, and we want to make them feel special,” said Yemisi Fajimolu, Chief of Staff at Federal Palace Hotel. The hotel is also hosting several events as part of the festival, including a charity raffle with proceeds to support women-focused causes.

Despite progress, women remain underrepresented in STEM fields, and those who dare to venture often face significant barriers to success. But amidst the challenges, a glimmer of hope emerges.

Bukky Babajide, Founder and CEO of Female Techpreneur, is leading the charge to empower women in tech. “We are providing women with access to funding, mentoring, and career support, empowering them to lead and innovate,” said Dere Oritsejafor-Ereku, representing Babajide at a press conference announcing The Guardian Woman Festival.

The statistics are stark: women hold only 30% of tech jobs in Nigeria, and the country ranks 139th out of 153 countries in terms of women’s participation in the workforce. But initiatives like Female Techpreneur and The Guardian Woman Festival are working to change this narrative.

“We are not just bridging the gap; we are creating a pipeline of talented women who can drive innovation and growth in Africa,” said Oritsejafor-Ereku.