ASHENEWS reports that the immediate past President of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) , Engineer Elizabeth Eterigho has challenged societal norms and advocated for women’s empowerment.
Eterigho made this assertion at the Association of Professional Women Engineering Technologist (APWET) Seminar in Abuja and the International Women’s Day event organized by the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) in Minna to commemorate the 2024 International Women Day.
At the APWET Seminar in Abuja, Eterigho advocated for the recognition and empowerment of innovative women as catalysts for societal transformation highlighting the gender biases that hinder women from fully realizing their innovative potentials.
Eterigho who is an Associate Professor in the Federal University of Technology, Minna, emphasized the importance of challenging stereotypes and creating inclusive environments that foster creativity and entrepreneurship among women.
She underscored the need for greater support for women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, calling for mentorship programs, gender-friendly policies, and increased funding to bridge the gender gap in STEM.
The University Don cited research findings indicating that women’s ideas are often undervalued and that women are underrepresented in science academia and STEM-related industries stressing the importance of promoting women’s participation in STEM education and careers to harness their potential as agents of change and innovation.
Switching gears at the International Women’s Day event in Minna, Eterigho took aim at the challenges hindering women’s inclusion in national development.
From education disparities to political marginalization, she left no stone unturned in exposing the barriers holding women back acknowledging the persistent challenges faced by women in the country which include gender-based violence, limited access to resources, education disparities, and political marginalization.
She appealed to civil society organizations and international partners to join forces in the fight for gender equality while calling for continued investment in women’s empowerment programs, community engagement initiatives, partnerships, and collaborations to address the root causes of gender inequalities.
Eterigho then urge stakeholders to recognize the transformative impact of innovative women on societal advancement and to take proactive measures to support and empower women in Nigeria.
She emphasized that by harnessing the potential of innovative women, Nigeria can achieve sustainable development and prosperity for all its citizens.
