One thing all humans can do without any barrier is to imagine, so imagine a gender-equal world. Imagine a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. Imagine a world of gender inclusion in the political sector, Imagine a world where every woman’s milestone is recognized , and then we give her, accolades, a rose, and a warm hug for a job well done!
All these are achievable and soon we may no longer need to imagine because it would be our reality! There would be a world of gender equity celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women all over the world, our voice would be heard, and we would be seen. So Today March 8th 2023, Exquisite Magazine joins the world to Embrace Equity and fight for gender equality and here is a collection of voices joining us to do so.
Tell Us A bit About Yourself
My name is Jeanette Uddoh. I am an Innovation/Product Manager with a financial services background. I am currently an MBA Student at Arizona State University with a focus on Information Management (Artificial Intelligence & Cloud) and Entrepreneurship.
This year’s International Women’s theme is Embrace Equity what does this mean to you?
We dialogue a lot about diversity, belonging & inclusion, and I think that for these to happen, equity must play a part in the equation. Equality is the goal, equity is the means to get there.
Embracing equity for me means that we negate bias, and gender stereotypes in their different forms and call out discrimination in order to create an inclusive world where everyone is represented.
It is providing opportunities, and resources that fit the specific needs or circumstances of anyone no matter their differences, and in that way, we can reach an equal outcome.
How can we embrace Gender Equity?
We can embrace Gender equity by being fair and ensuring that while we seek for equal opportunities, we should be careful not to create exclusion problems, but rather be more self-aware of inclusion.
For example, in pedagogy, while school administrators have taken steps to ensure an equal learning experience for all students in a classroom irrespective of their gender, have we also taken steps to provide resources that will enable the physically (e.g. blind, limb deficient) or academically (e.g. ADHD, autistic) challenged in the same classroom to succeed?
While equality sets the rules for creating a fair playing field, equity ensures everyone can compete on the same field.
What’s your International Women’s Day message to everyone?
Equity is no longer a nice to have, it’s a must-have. Embrace it!
Tell Us A bit About Yourself
My name is Onyinye Ayeni, a graduate of Delta State University, Abraka. Who studied Geology, married, and is blessed with two beautiful kids. Also the CEO of ocsam_collections, an online hair
How Can We Embrace Gender Equity?
To embrace equity is to forge harmony and unity, and to help drive success for all. Equality is the goal, and equity is the means to get there.
What Does Equity Mean To You?
Gender equity means a society where everyone’s opinion and voice are heard. And this starts in our homes, and workplaces by embracing diverse roles.
What’s your International Women’s Day message to everyone?
My international Women’s Day Message is to know your rights, and don’t be afraid to stand up.
Tell us a bit about yourself
My name is Chidinma Edith Nwosu. On Air Personality, Voice Over Artist, and Content Creator.
How Can We Embrace Gender Equity?
Embracing Equity to me simply means the acceptance that individuals and groups of people should be given the same right and opportunities regardless of race and background to foster unity.
What Does Equity Mean To You?
This means to Create awareness, Create opportunities and Establish an inclusive and healthy society.
What’s your International Women’s Day message to everyone?
My message today for women as we celebrate international women’s day:
As women, we should learn to support each other first and understand that we are strong and audacious and can achieve anything we set our minds to do.
Tell Us A bit About Yourself
My name is Motolani Mustapha. I’m a bit of a jack of all trades. I studied mass communication but I’m currently a software developer in training and the manager for a beauty brand VEEBEEZ. I am a bit of a poet, a podcaster, and an avid lover of God.
This year’s International Women’s theme is Embrace Equity what does this mean to you?
To me equity means fairness to everyone; irrespective of gender, social status, education and all. Being fair and unbiased in all situation.
What Does Equity Mean To You?
Gender equity is not the same as gender equality Because sometimes equality is not actually equal. I’ll use a diagram I saw somewhere to describe this. Four people of quite different heights let’s say (3-6 ft tall) were trying to see above a fence that’s 8ft tall. And so they gave everyone a 3ft tall stool.
They gave the same size of stool so no one would feel slighted. What do you think will happen? There will still be people unable to see over the fence. But what if they have everyone the right stool that suits their height?
Everyone will be able to see above the fence. That’s the difference between equality and equity. Equality will give everyone the same thing irrespective of whether it’s what they need or if its what will benefit them at that time. But equity will benefit everyone based on their strengths and what they need.
We can embrace Gender equity by understanding that there’s a difference between genders and it may result at times in difference in our opportunities as well, so more gender-helpful opportunities should be created and embraced.
What’s your International Women’s Day message to everyone?
“We’re the one gender God chose to partner with in creation, we are irreplaceable and can not be substituted, so embrace your uniqueness as a woman, why try to be like a man, you are an upgrade already’’
Tell Us A Bit About Yourself
My name is Precious Adigwe Obayuwana, founder of Soteria Aid and Development, I am committed to tackling gender issues such as sexual and human reproductive rights, menstrual hygiene management, and providing food programs for vulnerable women. I am also a communication and media strategist.
This year’s International Women’s theme is Embrace Equity what does this mean to you?
The goal of equity is to guarantee fairness, accessibility, equal opportunities, and advancement for all women. Personally, to embrace equity means to promote inclusivity and acknowledge that everyone is unique, regardless of their physical appearance, ethnicity, or background. Consequently, every individual should be appreciated and treated with respect, regardless of their origin or circumstance.
How can we embrace Gender Equity?
Recognizing the existing inequalities in our society is a crucial first step towards embracing equity.
By raising awareness about these inequalities, we can encourage advocacy, increase awareness, and promote behavioral change. It’s also essential to establish laws and policies that support equity and impose sanctions for violations.
Education, both individual and communal, plays a vital role in promoting gender equity. Only by understanding the impact of gender inequality can we embrace the concept of equity fully. As the famous quote goes, “I think, therefore I am.” Therefore education should be a top priority to promote and ensure equity in our society.
What’s your International Women’s Day message to everyone?
I have a message for my fellow women. If we unite and support one another by speaking up, celebrating each other’s victories, and fighting for each other’s rights, we will show the world that we are an unstoppable force. It’s time to embrace HER NOW!
Tell Us A Bit About Yourself
My name is Oluwadamilola Esho, I am a woman and I am Nigerian.
This year’s International Women’s theme is Embrace Equity what does this mean to you?
Equity simply aims to ensure the fair treatment, thus, embracing equity would cover equality of opportunities and advancement for everyone (Male/Female, Tribe, Religion, Race or Ethnicity).
How can we Embrace Gender Equity?
This can only be done by carefully identifying and removing the barriers that have prevented women from being fully involved with various opportunities across all sectors.
What’s your International Women’s Day message to everyone?
Proudly Wise, Outstanding, Multidimensional, Ambitious, Nation’s pride (woman).
Tell Us A Bit About Yourself
I am Theresa Oliver, CEO Tee-Amazing Fashion House, Calabar, Cross River State.
This year’s International Women’s theme is Embrace Equity what does this mean to you?
By coming to the understanding that God created us the same, except specific roles in which God has placed on the man in the home by making him the head. Otherwise, no other sex is greater or better than the other as we all are important in the society. When there’s total absence or degrading of any of the gender in the world at large there won’t be growth.
How can we Embrace Gender Equity?
By accepting or introducing gender equality in our homes and different tribes. Where there’s no special treatment for a particular sex against the other.
What’s your International Women’s Day message to everyone?
Train up a child in the way he should grow and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Tell Us A Bit About Yourself
My name is Chinedum Gloria Uzougbo, I am a Scientific Officer and a data analyst with the Delta State Ministry of Health ( Nigerian institute of medical research Asaba outstation). An amazing mother to a daughter and a counselor.
This year’s International Women’s theme is Embrace Equity what does this mean to you?
Fairness no matter the background. Our voice should be heard.
How can we embrace Gender Equity?
By taking relevant actions in representing ourselves in leadership positions and being involved in decisions making in what ever class or level we find ourselves.
What’s your International Women’s Day message to everyone?
My international Women’s day message is,
Lets make a mark, put in our best where ever we find ourselves, break every self imposed barrier and strive for the next level in every sphere we find ourselves. In anyway and capacity we can let’s empower ourselves and in just a matter of time we will rule our world. Women we can!!!
Tell Us A Bit About Yourself
My name is Ifunanya Nwanoka Ursula. I’m a writer with a passion for telling dreamy stories that transport readers to new worlds. As a child, you will find me lost in pages of a good book. My love for reading was the ignition that set my writing passion into motion.
Today, I’m excited to be able to create and package different experiences for people through my words.
This year’s International Women’s theme is Embrace Equity what does this mean to you?
To me, Gender equity is getting comfortable with giving and accepting equal responsibilities and benefits without any gender bias.
It’s time for us to get cozy with the idea of equality.
How can we embrace Gender Equity?
We need to be willing to learn and understand the experiences of others, especially the marginalized genders, even if we can’t relate to it. We can embrace gender equity if we are intentional about creating inclusive spaces for all genders to live their authentic selves.
We’ve talked about it for way too long. It’s time for us to be intentional.
What’s your International Women’s Day message to everyone?
Today, we allow ourselves to bask in the warmth of being unapologetic females. Today we celebrate our incredible strength and how far we’ve come.
We are much more than mothers, daughters, sisters, wives, friends or colleagues.
We are our own women! Let’s continue to inspire and lift each other up today and every other day.
Tell Us A Bit About Yourself
My name is Maduekwe Nwanyinma Florence. I am a happy and optimistic individual, constantly filled with positive energy and enthusiasm. I approach my work with agility and am always seeking opportunities for growth and development in my career. I am a driven and ambitious person, committed to achieving success and fulfillment in all aspects of my life.”
This year’s International Women’s theme is Embrace Equity what does this mean to you?
Embrace equity” means to actively and intentionally support and promote fairness and impartiality in all areas of life, including social, economic, and political contexts. Embracing equity involves recognizing and addressing systemic biases and inequalities that exist in society and working to eliminate them.
How can we embrace Gender Equity?
We can embrace gender equity by taking deliberate steps to create a more equal and just society for people of all genders.
What’s your International Women’s Day message to everyone?
On this International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate the accomplishments of women throughout history while also acknowledging that there is still much work to be done in the fight for gender equality. Let’s commit to empowering women and removing barriers to their success.
