It was a vibrant gathering dedicated to celebrating women, their creativity, resilience, and impact on society as the Committed Soul Women Health Advocacy Africa Initiative (COSWOHI) commemorated International Women’s Day in Oyo State.
The event, sponsored by the French Embassy in Nigeria, brought together stakeholders, beneficiaries, and advocates to explore the intersection of art, culture, and innovation. Through a series of art exhibitions, the programme highlighted the strength, contributions, and lived experiences of women.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of COSWOHI, Mrs. Emmanuella Nwabrije-Adeleke, described the organisation as a women-led initiative founded in 2015 to advocate for the health and rights of vulnerable women in Oyo State. She emphasized the importance of sustained efforts toward empowering women across all age groups and social backgrounds.
Mrs. Nwabrije-Adeleke called on government agencies, private organisations, and community leaders to intensify support for women-focused initiatives, stressing that inclusive empowerment is key to societal progress.
Also speaking, the President of the Board of Alliance Française in Oyo State, Mrs. Funsho Adegbola, noted that the initiative forms part of the French Embassy’s broader interventions aimed at supporting community-based organisations. She urged beneficiaries to extend the impact of the programme by sharing acquired knowledge and skills within their communities.
During a project impact presentation, a team member, Mrs. Mfon Emeka, highlighted the organisation’s efforts in equipping women and girls with tools to live free from violence, access healthcare without stigma, and build sustainable livelihoods.
Stakeholders present at the event, including representatives from the Oyo State Ministries of Health and Education, as well as the Oyo State Police Command, commended COSWOHI for its dedication to advancing gender equality. They also pledged continued collaboration and support for initiatives that promote women’s development.
Beneficiaries, in their remarks, expressed gratitude to the organisation for providing them with skill acquisition opportunities and empowering them to become financially independent.
The event also featured a roundtable discussion on the theme, “Scaling Economic Inclusion and Project Sustainability,”where participants exchanged ideas on strengthening long-term impact.
Other highlights included a spoken word performance and the unveiling of a special artwork presented to the French Government in recognition of its contributions to promoting gender equality in Nigeria.
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