The world has recorded stories of strong and inspiring women who have made significant contributions to their communities.
In celebration of International Women’s Day, we are recognizing outstanding women, for their incredible achievements and contributions in their respective fields.
Dr (Mrs.) Obiageli (Oby) Katryn Ezekwesili is a chartered accountant, former Nigerian Minister of Education, former Vice President for the World Bank, Senior Economic Advisor to Open Society, and currently runs the Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative (AEDPI).
She is the Co-Founder of #BringBackOurGirls Movement, a group of diverse citizens advocating for the speedy and effective search and rescue of schoolgirls abducted from the secondary school in Chibok on the 14, April 2014, in Nigeria. She was one of the co-founders of Transparency International, served as Special Assistant and Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on Budget Monitoring, and became Minister of Solid Minerals Development and later on Minister of Education.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a Nigerian author, and activist who has become a global icon for her literary works and advocacy for gender equality. Adichie’s bestselling books, including “Americanah” and “Half of a Yellow Sun,” have been translated into multiple languages and won numerous awards. She has also been recognized as a powerful voice for women’s rights and empowerment, delivering powerful speeches on the subject around the world.
Confidence Staveley is Africa’s most celebrated female cybersecurity leader, talent developer, global speaker, cybersecurity awareness evangelist, and inclusion advocate.
She is the Founder and Executive Director of CyberSafe Foundation, a leading non-governmental organization dedicated to improving inclusive and safe digital access in Africa. Confidence is an official member of the Forbes Technology Council, an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs, and technology executives. She has won the Cybersecurity Woman of the Year Award in 2021 and 2022, IFSEC Global Top Influencer in Security & Fire 2021, Top 50 women in Cybersecurity Africa, etc.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the former president of Liberia and the first female head of state in Africa. Sirleaf has been a trailblazer for women in politics, working to promote peace and democracy in Liberia and other African countries. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 for promoting women’s rights and economic development in her country.
Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate. Yousafzai gained global attention after surviving an assassination attempt by the Taliban for her advocacy for girls’ education. She has since become an international symbol of bravery and activism, founding the Malala Fund to promote education for girls around the world.
Of course, Oprah Winfrey. She is an American media mogul, actress, and philanthropist who has emerged as one of the most powerful women in history. Winfrey established her own media firm, produced several movies and TV series, and rose to prominence as a major philanthropist after the success of her chat show, “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” which was one of the most popular TV programmes in history.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let’s take a moment to honour and recognize the incredible achievements and contributions of countless women who have paved the way for gender equality and empowerment around the world.
Their resilience and courage serve as an inspiration to all of us and a reminder of the power of women to effect positive change in the world.
