The title of this Blog post was the theme of the Women's Summit organised by AMANDLA Institute for Policy & Leadership Advancement in collaboration with African Women Leadership Network (AWLN) and WOMANIFESTO. The Summit was held on 9th December 2025 at Lake Greenfield Hotel & Towers, Abuja. The Summit was supported by Ford Foundation. The event was also an opportunity to continue the celebration of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). The participants were an inter-generational mix: The older ones were at the Beijing Conference in 1995 and the younger activists in the hall...At 67 years old, I (Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa) was one of the elders in the room that actually attended the Beijing Conference in 1995 when I was Head of Department of Political Science, Lagos State University (LASU).
Erelu Bisi Adeleye Fayemi (Co-Founder AMANDALA Institute & Fmr. First Lady Ekiti state) welcomed us: The Beijing Plan of Action (BPA) was perhaps the first global forum that addressed gender issues. It appears we have gone five steps forward and ten steps backwards. Nigeria's indices are so bad that we may not meet the SDGs goals by 2030. But there's some good news. We may not be where we wish to be, but we have not remained where we were. For example, there's more access to educational opportunities in Southern Nigeria. There are more women in academia and public service. We now have an endless list of role models and indeed, mentors. We also have formidable women organisations and networks. AMANDLA began operation in February 2025. Remember that there's no such thing as a retired feminist because the forces of regression are never tired. We need to remain vigilant...
Prof. Funmi Para-Mallam (Chair AWLN-Nigeria) asked three critical questions: Where are we? Where do we want to be? How do we get there? There's still deeply entrenched resistance within the system, but we are rising. Female public office holders, academics, etc. are confronted by institutional walls - outdated cultural norms, religious mis-interpretation, violence normalised and sometimes treated as routine. We are at the crossroad of progress and pushback. If the resistance is getting louder, it means the impact is getting stronger. We want a country where women are protected in practice and not on paper. Cultural norms should reflect our collective humanity. We have the African Leadership Institute (WLI), where mentees are trained. We need more effective strategies and collective power. Networks should not collapse under pressure. Nigeria does not need scattered activism. We must own our own narrative. We must challenge harmful norms and mentor intentionally. We should support female candidates in spite of political affiliation. We must refuse to be intimidated. Women's leadership should be a national asset..
Dr. Abiola Akiyode (Co-Convener, Womanifesto): We'll continue to stand on the foundation laid by you all. We are not re-inventing the wheel, we are consolidating. We have some gains like the Child Rights Act (CRA), Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, etc. I was a Youth Corper in 1995, and I didn't have enough money to go to Beijing. The Beijing Conference was not just a parley, it was a lighthouse that produced a blueprint - The Beijing Platform for Action (BPA)...
Prof. Olufolake Abdulrasaq (Chair, Nigeria Governors' Spouses Forum - NGSF & First Lady Kwara State): For sustainable leadership, there should be quality participation and inclusion. Legislated gender quotas are a response to lacunas in necessary interventions that favour women. We'll share lessons learned here at the NGSF. While prioritising the inclusion and education of the girl child, don't leave the boy child behind. Economic empowerment of women is of utmost importance. The HPV vaccine should be administered to girls between the ages of 9 and 14 years. Inter-generational exchanged as witnessed at this Summit should be continuous. Kwara state has passed the 35% Affirmative Action and 6 month maternity leave. Menstrual period poverty is also being addressed...
Hon. Iman Suleiman (Minister of Women Affairs): I'm an accidental leader. It's women o'clock. Women should organise themselves. 98% of Chinese women are economically empowered. I'm a victim of SGBV even as Minister of Women Affairs. My subordinates in the office bullied me, saying they wanted a 'more dynamic leadership'...Women have made significant gains. 8-10 MDs of Banks in Nigeria are women. The Ministry of Women Affairs has 5 Pillars which include, but are not limited to Family, Child, Women empowerment, etc. Only about 4% of women can access finance. This needs to be addressed. We need more gender-responsive laws. We should dismantle harmful stereotypes and support survivors of SGBV. When women rise, communities thrive...
Ms. Wunmi Akinronke (ED WIMBIZ): Achieving Gender Equality might take us another century. We need to accelerate action. How? This can be achieved via knowledge transfer - there's no need to re-invent the wheel. We should also collaborate and stop working in silos...
Dr. Chi-Chi Aniagolu-Okoye (Country Director, Ford Foundation): It's indeed an honour to celebrate 30 years post Beijing. Mme. Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi is not an accidental leader! Thanks for setting up AMANDLA Institute as Co-Founder with your husband, Dr. Kayode Fayemi (Former Governor of Ekiti State/Federal Minister)...
Prof. Olabisi Aina (Keynote Speaker): Moving forward, we need the following: 1) Inter-generational solidarity 2) Embrace the feminist approach 3) Youth-led feminism - digital, intersectional and bold 4) Inclusive policies and compassion 5) Women who have an understanding of the issues 6) Feminist governance vs Traditional governance 7) Internal issues - shared leadership, accountability and understanding of the theory of change 8) Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of our 'Movements' - NCWS, End Sars, BBOG, etc. 9) Donor-dependent funding vs Solidarity via home-grown funding 10) Opportunities - Digital tools, Understanding the global gender agenda 11) Intrsectional practice
What then are the 7 pillars of action, going forward? 1) Strengthen governance via accountability, Gender-responsive budgeting, etc. 2) Mentorship & Inter-generational leadership - Set up Leadership Academies 3) Feminist Data Governance 4) Feminist knowledge/research, including Oral History 5) Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) 6) Private Sector involvement 7) Feminists + Activists + Donors should work together...
Ms. Gill Lever OBE (Deputy British High Commissioner): I assure you of the solidarity of women in the UK with Nigerian women. We continue to celebrate progress since 1995. The Beijing conference was a comprehensive blueprint for gender equality and empowerment. We shall continue to support grassroots women's organisations. Despite gains, there are persistent gaps in the VAPP, CRA, Land Use Act, etc. Women entrepreneurs and feminist movements need constant encouragement. Leadership and mentorship should not be aspirational for women, but guaranteed...
Panel 1: Recalling Beijing 1995 (Looking Back)
Panelists: Chief Moji Makanjuola (ED ISMPH); Iyom Barr. Josephine Anenih (Former Minister of Wmen Affairs); Dr. Mairo Mandara (Special Adviser to Borno State Governor); Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa (DG Diaspora Commission); Ms. Toun Okewale-Sonaiya (Moderator/CEO Women Radio)
Chief Moji Makanjuola: Many of us are not 'accidental leaders'. Mentorship is key. What do we need to focus on and what do we need to achieve? How have you used your platform to advance the gender agenda? In the traditional media, some stereotypes have been conquered. We need more female owners of media houses. There should be more female decision makers in the media and other spheres of life. Women in politics should make themselves available for interviews in the traditional media at least. This is where their male counterparts have an edge.
Dr. Mairo Mandara: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) are as a result of social injustice. have enough policies, we need to implement the extant ones. We must walk the talk. Let's be more deliberate with action. We need to harvest the low-hanging fruits. We need seats at critical fora. We should show interest in Political Party Conventions. We should have influence in our various niches and understand the language of money. It's necessary to be strategic, deliberate and influential to be able to determine the next set of political leaders. If you have no business of your own, you have no business in being in politics. We should note that at least 8 out of every 10 grassroots women have their PVCs.
Iyom Barr. Josephine Anenih: What are women not doing well? If you are not at the table, you're likely to be on the menu. There are 5 long years between the era of Madam Gambo Sawaba and Iyom Barr. Josephine Anenih in politics. But the barriers against women persist. More money shuld be pumped into the Care Industry. Unpaid labour needs proper recognition.
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa: Power is not served a-la-carte. My first line of support in my constituency were the women. It's tougher for us in the political terrain than the men. We should mentor the younger ones - systemic mentoring. We should be courageous and determined. Prebendalism (Money Politics) remains a big issue. You need money in the political terrain.
Panel 2: Intergenerational Dialogue
Panelists: Abosede George-Ogan (ED WILAN); Priscilla Usiobaifo (ED Brave Heart Initiative - BHI); Fatima Yerima Askira (Borno Women Development Initiative - BWDI); Cynthia Mbamalu (Head of Programmes, Yiaga Africa); Bukky Shonibare (Moderator/ED Invictus Africa)
We should build institutions and structures. Translate numbers into power. Greater investment in women. There should be institutionalised feminist principles. Documentaion and digital innovation are key. The nexus between practitioners and scholars should be bridged - Town should meet Gown. The central SGBV Dashboard should be linked to all other Dashboards in the country. Inter-generational learning and collaboration should be continuous. We should join new networks and refine those that we have. There should be solidarity among sisters across board.
Prof. Joy Ezeilo (Call to Action)
All the critical areas of concern are still relevant in Nigeria. Nigerian women should continue to work in concert...1) Invest in women and girls 2) Women's leadership and representation should be stepped up 3) The Reserved Seats Bill should be seen to its logical conclusion 4) Knowledge production and transfer 5) Research and data collection 6) Gender budgeting 7) The 3rd National Action Plan (NAP) on UNSCR 1325 should be executed with precision 8) Implementation of extant Laws - CRA, VAPP, 3rd NAP on UNSCR 1325 9) Enact the Gender & Equal Opportunities Bill 10) Domestication of all Treaties, especially CEDAW 11) Operationalise a Feminist Strategy 12) Mentorship and Inter-generational cooperation
Pelemo the Poet performed Erelu Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi's poem 'The Heaven for Little Girls'
I told mummy that daddy was hurting me
She said Shhhhhhhhhh
Hush Girl
Don't let anyone hear you
How dare you?
She called me a liar
She called me a prostitute
Then all of a sudden
It did not hurt anymore...
What an apt poem by multi-talented Erelu Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). It was professionally performed by a relatively young female Poet, Pelemo...This is the kind of inter-generational collaboration we were deliberating on at the Summit.
Ms. Joke Silva (Veteran Actress/Member Programmes Committee, Amandla Institute) gave what was more than a mere vote of thanks, it could pass for another charge for the participants. Trust Joke not to disappoint..
It's really nice to witness the collaboration between women-focused institutions/NGOs for this Summit - AMANDLA Institute, WOMANIFESTO & AWLN (African Women Leaders' Network). We need more of this kind of synergy. We must agonise less and strategise more. We can do it. We have the energy. And now, we move...
I, Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa), must commend AMANDLA Institute, a young organisation which became fully operational in February 2025 for organising this professionally coordinatd Summit in successful collaboration with two other formidable NGOs. This is indeed a feat. Kudos and more wins. Bravo!
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