Women must stop pleading for leadership opportunities and instead craft strategic plans to secure greater representation in governance, says Dr. Ifeyinwa Nwakwesi, founder of Women Aligned for Growth (WAG).
In her message marking the 2025 International Women’s Day, Dr. Nwakwesi urged women to embrace their strengths—resilience, wisdom, creativity, and determination—to drive political and social change. She emphasized that while women excel at nurturing families and contributing to national development, their leadership impact remains limited due to systemic barriers and underutilized potential.
“Many women live below their potential, failing to harness their innate talents. Adopting a growth mindset can help them maximize their capabilities,” she stated.
Dr. Nwakwesi also highlighted key areas where women must take deliberate action:
Political Inclusion: Developing strategic roadmaps to boost representation in leadership and governance.
Health & Well-being: Prioritizing preventive healthcare to reduce mortality and serve as role models.
Relationship Dynamics: Practicing effective communication to navigate emotional challenges in marriages.
Early Leadership Training: Instilling leadership skills in girls from a young age to prepare them for influential roles.
She called on women to take ownership of their aspirations, noting that real change starts with intentional action rather than waiting for opportunities to be handed to them.
