Experts Advocate Equal Career Advancement Opportunities for Women

By Barakat Lawal

The University of Lagos (UNILAG), Office of Career Development Service (UNILAG-OCDS) in collaboration with The Soroptimist International Ikeja (SII), discussed the need to accelerate action towards achieving gender equity and empowering women to seize career opportunities.

The event, held on March 12th, 2025 at NitHub, was attended by the undergraduate students of UNILAG, Federal College of Technology (FCET), Akoka, Yaba College of Technology Secondary School, and the International School, UNILAG.

With the theme “Accelerating Action for the Rights, Equality, and Career Advancement of Women,” the panel discussion celebrated International Women’s Day 2025.

The panel session lined up experts from various fields including Professor Blessing Anyikwa, the Deputy Dean of Students’ Affairs at UNILAG; Mrs. Olabisi Ibitayo, a certified life coach; Professor Temilola Olufunmilayo, the youngest professor at UNILAG; and Mrs. Bunmi Oguntunwase, a representative from SII and the first female Branch Manager at Access Bank.

These experts shared their insights and experiences regarding the challenges women face in their careers and discussed strategies for overcoming these obstacles. They also emphasized the importance of creating a level playing field for women to access equal career opportunities and advancing gender equity in their careers.

Professor Anyikwa highlighted the rights women are still struggling to access, including the right to education, protection from gender-based violence, and reproductive health, noting that cultural and social factors often hinder women’s access to these rights, citing the exam of women being discouraged from reporting domestic violence, due to fear of social stigma.

Speaking on the marginalization and exclusion of women, from the decision-making processes, Mrs. Oguntunwase said, “There was a time when black American women didn’t have a voice. In Africa, women are to be seen and not heard. You might not be seen until you are asked to be seen. For these reasons, women should perform to the utmost.”

Mrs. Ibitayo emphasized the importance of self-worth and identity, personal growth, and community support in empowering young women. She encouraged them to strive for excellence and push beyond their limitations.

“Desire to grow beyond limitation, power of community, as well as boldness and influence,” she noted

Mrs. Oguntunwase emphasized the fact that there has been progress towards gender equality, but at a slow pace.

“It will take five generations to attain our desired equality. That’s in the year 2158.”

Despite the progress made towards achieving gender equality, Mrs. Oguntunwase acknowledged that much work remains to be done, stressing that they aren’t there yet, but they are not where they used to be either. “At UNILAG, women are in the realm of affairs; the top management are women. In politics, we are not there yet, we are struggling, but we are pushing for that. 10 female CEOs in financial institutions, including the federal-owned institutions.” She highlighted.

The experts called for accelerated action toward achieving gender equity, emphasizing the need for a mindset shift, cultural change, and institutional support. They stressed that women’s development is essential for national development and a collective action is necessary to create a society where women have equal access to opportunities and resources.