In the countdown to International Women’s Day 2021, Lyra is sharing stories of those who #ChooseToChallenge the status quo for a better, gender equal future.
In the second of our series “in conversation with…” we are excited to share the insights of Lyra Board Member Nike Akerele-De Souza around the theme #ChooseToChallenge, an inspirational female leader in her own right!
The theme for International Women’s Day this year is #ChoosetoChallenge, what does #ChoosetoChallenge mean to you?
I am passionate about girls’ education and I choose to challenge any bias and barriers to education across Sub-Saharan Africa, especially for girls in poor and marginalised communities who struggle to access education. It is already hard enough for children and youths to be educated in some parts of the continent. The COVID-19 pandemic has also triggered an extraordinary situation with the school closures which is likely to lead to increased numbers of girls not returning to school when the economy reopens. In addition, girls in marginalized communities are also exposed to increased risk of sexual violence and early marriage.
The likelihood of completing the education cycle is harder for girls and the transition from primary to secondary education for example, is not encouraging in some regions across the continent, so ensuring that when girls start school, they remain in school is critical. Girls are also affected by health-related problems like painful menstruation, a lack of sanitary facilities and pregnancy which contributes to absenteeism and drop-out of adolescent girls.
As an inspirational female leader, can you share an example of when you have had to challenge the status quo in your career?
After working for many years as an employee for a few organizations, I started my first entrepreneurial venture in 1993 in Nigeria, providing human capital related services for clients. It’s tough already starting a business and managing the complexities of a start-up, I found it quite challenging as a woman to break down the biases in business. I heard that as a woman, I would need to work twice as hard to gain access to opportunities and this really was the reality in the beginning. However, if you are determined, focused and add value to clients, it becomes easier over time.
When we think of International Women’s Day and this theme, we tend to automatically think of how women have had to challenge the status quo. What inspirational examples can you share where a man has #ChosenToChallenge the situation for the benefit of women?
I have always worked in organizations that were male dominated. I have found my greatest supporters and mentors to be men. For me there isn’t one person I can point to but a group of men over my career that have given me opportunities to grow, to learn and to take risks. I have seen where some of these men have fought to pick women into leadership positions in management and on Boards based on merit. I believe we still have a long way to go to ensure equitable inclusion in top management and on Boards for women and to also ensure we have diversity at this level, however, we must not give up trying to achieve this.
As we look ahead to 2021 and the decade of action towards meeting the SDG ambition what areas do you think the international community is going to have to step up it’s focus and #ChooseToChallenge?
SDG 4.5 is key because it asks that we work towards eliminating gender disparities in education and to ensure equal access to all levels of education for the vulnerable and indigenous peoples. This is also supported by SDG 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. There is an urgent need for us to join forces to end all forms of discrimination against women and girls, as well as all forms of violence and exploitation. Far too many girls and women are struggling, and many are suffering across the globe and we need to answer the call for help. We must choose to challenge early marriage in some parts of the world, as well as discrimination against pregnant girls accessing education. We must choose to address the underlying issues as to why households in poor communities are forced to choose who gets to go to school between a boy and a girl. It is not going to be easy, but I believe that with the concerted efforts of all parties and stakeholders and, the will power of the international community to ensure change happens, progress can be made in these areas.