WIMBIZ calls for fair gender representation in leadership
By Eberechi Obinagwam
Women in Management, Business, and Public Service (WIMBIZ) has called for fair gender representation in leadership, saying that when women are equally represented in leadership, organisations perform better, drive innovation and make more informed decisions.
This is coming ahead of the International Women’s Day in March 8, with the theme ‘Acceleration Action’ which emphasises the need to speed up progress towards gender equality.
The executive director, Omowunmi Akingbohungbe, in a statement, studies have shown that companies with diverse executive teams are more likely to outperform their peers financially. It said, in governance, increased female political representation leads to policies that support economic growth, social welfare, and gender equity.
“A leadership structure that reflects fair gender representation fosters a healthier, more inclusive, and productive work environment where all individuals, regardless of gender, can express their full potential,” according to the statement.
Akingbohungbe, while commending women in Nigeria and across the globe on their strides in leadership across business, corporate environments, and public office, said systemic barriers continue to impede their progress, rooted in structural inequalities, harmful stereotypes, and cultural biases that undermine women’s contributions and hinder their career growth.
She said: “While comprehensive national data is limited, numerous reports indicate that sexual harassment remains a pervasive issue in Nigerian workplaces, deterring many women from pursuing or sustaining leadership roles. Also, many women face career stagnation due to limited access to mentorship, sponsorship, and leadership development programs. In Nigeria’s top 20 companies by market capitalization, women hold only 23.4% of board seats, with a mere 10% having female board chairs, and none led by female CEOs.”
She urged companies to create safe work environment by implementing strict anti-harassment policies, provide confidential reporting channels, and ensure that all complaints are taken seriously and investigated without bias.
Akingbohungbe noted that the fight for gender equality is not just a women’s issue, but a human rights issue. “Every organization, leader, and individual has a role to play in dismantling these barriers. We must all work together to create an environment where leadership is based on competence, not gender; where talent is nurtured, not suppressed; and where every woman has the opportunity to rise without fear of bias or harassment,” she said.
