Since the successful delivery of the women’s meetup program in November 2023, the ecosystem has recorded a significant increase in women’s participation in subsequent activities happening within the innovation ecosystem. Riding on the success of this program, we proposed an International Women’s Day 2024 (IWD 2024) celebration for the women’s community in Osun State, especially in the underserved communities.
International Women’s Day (March 8) is a day celebrating the achievements of women across the globe, the day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. In alignment with the United Nations Women theme for IWD 2024, the theme for the IWD 2024 celebration in Osun State is “Invest in Women: Accelerate Rural Development through Innovation and Technology”. The event which had in attendance approximately seventy-seven (77) women including corps members, students, and ladies living in Otan Ayegbaju was structured into insightful sessions involving discussions on innovation, technology, and menstrual hygiene.
At the start of the event, Joshua, the center admin for Opolo Innovation Hub, Otan Ayegbaju spoke to the audience about Opolo Global Innovation Limited, what we do, and how commitment to growing the innovation ecosystem. The NYSC local government inspector for Boluwaduro local government also addressed the participants and advised them to be limitless and actively pursue opportunities in the technology and innovation field and equip themselves with valuable tech skills for economic empowerment.
While speaking to the participants, the sponsor of the program, Mrs. Lola Aworanti-Ekugo, author of the novel “Lagos to London”, shared her personal experience and journey in the technology and innovation ecosystem and the lessons she has learned so far. During the first session, Benedicta Alalade, an Innovation Hub Manager at Opolo Innovation Hub, Osun State University, spoke about the role of women in innovation and technology. She spoke about how innovation and technology and emphasized the need for women to be active in the technology and innovation space as they would serve as motivation for the upcoming generation of women.
During the second session, Iyanuoluwa Ogundipe, the programs manager at Segun Aina Foundation (SAF) spoke to the women about menstrual hygiene and why it matters. She also challenged the women to be advocates for change and support initiatives that ensure access to sanitation facilities and affordable menstrual products for all women.