IWD 2026: Efemuai Speaks On Leadership, Empowerment and Power of Visibility

Eloho Efemuai is a personal brand strategist, transformation coach, radio broadcaster, author, advocate for women and Founder, Adelphe Connect. She is driven by a deep passion to touch lives and uplift women and girls. In this interview with THISDAY, she speaks about IWD, gender equality and how we can create a more inclusive culture.

Why do you think it is important to celebrate International Women’s Day?

International Women’s Day matters because progress for women did not happen by accident. It came through courage, persistence, and the willingness of women to challenge the limits placed on them.

It is a moment to honour the women who came before us and opened doors that many of us now walk through. At the same time, it reminds us that the work is not finished. In many places women still face barriers to education, leadership, safety, and economic opportunity.

For me, the day is also about recognition. When women see other women leading, creating, building organisations, raising families, and shaping communities, it expands what feels possible. Visibility changes imagination. When one woman rises, it quietly gives permission for others to rise as well.

In your opinion, what are the barriers hindering women from reaching their potential?

Some barriers are structural. Women often have less access to funding, leadership opportunities, and decision making spaces. Careresponsibilities also still fall heavily on women, which can limit time, flexibility, and professional advancement.
But there are also quieter barriers that are less visible. Many women have been conditioned to question their voice, to minimise their ideas, or to wait for permission before stepping forward. Over time that hesitation can become internalised.
Another barrier is representation. When women do not see people like themselves in leadership, media, or decision making roles, it can create an unspoken message about where they belong.
This is why I care deeply about helping women recognise their identity and voice. When a woman understands who she is and what she brings, she begins to show up differently in the world.

Have you faced any barriers in your career due to being a woman? If so, how did you overcome them?

Yes. Being a woman, and often the only woman or the only Black woman in certain spaces, has sometimes meant my voice was not immediately recognised.
There were moments where I had to build credibility before people were willing to listen. At times I felt the pressure to soften parts of who I am in order to fit expectations.
What helped me move through those moments was clarity about my purpose. When you are clear about why you are doing something, you stop waiting for approval. You focus on building the work, the platforms, and the opportunities.
Building a radio station from the ground up and creating spaces where voices are heard was part of that journey. I realised that sometimes the most powerful response to exclusion is to build something that opens the door wider for others.

How can we leverage technology to promote gender equality?

Technology has the power to remove many of the traditional gatekeepers that once controlled access to opportunity.
Through digital platforms, women can build businesses, share knowledge, develop communities, and reach global audiences without needing permission from traditional institutions.
Technology also allows women to tell their own stories. Social media, podcasts, and digital media platforms give women the ability to shape their own narrative rather than relying on others to define it.
However, access and digital literacy are important. For technology to truly support equality, women need the skills, confidence, and infrastructure to use these tools effectively.

As a woman in broadcasting, what is your advice to other women looking to progress in this field?

First, own your voice. Broadcasting is not only about technical ability. It is about presence, perspective, and authenticity. The audiences that connect with you will respond to the truth of who you are.
Second, learn the craft. Study storytelling, interviewing, audience engagement, and production. The more skilled you are, the more confident you become.
Third, do not wait for the perfect opportunity. Many of the platforms that exist today were built by people who started with limited resources but strong conviction.
And finally, support other women. The industry becomes stronger when women collaborate, mentor, and open doors for each other.

How do you think companies can promote gender equality in the workplace and create a more diverse and inclusive culture?

Companies must move beyond statements and focus on structure. Equality becomes real when it is built into how organisations operate.
That includes fair recruitment processes, transparent promotion pathways, and leadership teams that reflect the diversity of the communities they serve.
Mentorship and sponsorship programmes also matter. Many women have the talent and capability but lack the networks that help careers advance.
A healthy workplace culture also recognises the realities of life such as caregiving, health transitions, and family responsibilities. When organisations design policies that support real lives, women are able to contribute fully.

How can we encourage and support more women to take up leadership roles?

Encouragement begins early. Girls need to grow up seeing women leading in many areas of life, whether in business, politics, science, media, or community leadership.
Mentorship plays an important role. When experienced women share their journeys honestly, including the struggles, it helps emerging leaders realise that leadership is a process rather than a perfect state.
We also need environments where women feel safe to express ideas and take risks. Leadership grows where voices are welcomed.
Finally, women themselves must begin to recognise that leadership does not require perfection. Leadership begins when someone chooses to step forward and take responsibility for change.

What message do you have for women and girls around the world in celebration of International Women’s Day?

Your voice matters. Your perspective matters. Your story matters.
There will be moments when you feel uncertain or when the path ahead is unclear. That is part of growth. Do not wait until you feel completely ready before you begin.
Learn, grow, ask questions, and keep moving forward. Progress often comes through small, consistent steps rather than dramatic moments.
And remember that you do not have to shrink who you are in order to succeed. The world needs women who lead with courage, integrity, and clarity about who they are.