IWD: Invest in Women, Transform Africa – Okekpolo
BY RITA OYIBOKA
As the world marks International Women’s Day 2026 under the compelling theme “Give to Gain,” UN Eminent Ambassador and Gender Priority Strategist, Dr (Mrs.) Ogochuku Okekpolo, has passionately called on governments, institutions, and individuals across Africa and beyond to strategically invest in women as the ultimate catalyst for profound societal transformation.
Speaking at a high-profile event celebrating the day, Dr Okekpolo, who also serves as the first Regional Advisory Council Member (South South Nigeria) for the Club G100 SDG Wing, underscored that such investments are not mere acts of benevolence but deliberate strategies yielding exponential returns for communities and nations alike.
She disclosed the diverse needs facing women on the continent, noting that while some require foundational support like food security, clean water, personal safety, accessible healthcare, and quality education, others yearn for advanced opportunities including financial access, enterprise platforms, leadership roles, and mentorship programmes.
“The principle remains unchanging: every intentional investment in women produces ripple effects that multiply across generations,” she declared, urging a unified approach to harness this power for Africa’s development.
Dr Okekpolo delved deeply into the transformative ripple effects of empowering women, illustrating how targeted support reshapes lives and economies in practical, measurable ways.
“When a girl gains access to quality education, she doesn’t just earn a certificate; she boosts her own health outcomes, elevates her earning potential, and dramatically improves the life chances of her children, breaking cycles of poverty,” she explained.
She further highlighted the story of a rural woman who, upon securing clean water, frees up precious hours previously spent fetching it, allowing her to invest in small-scale enterprises, nurture her family, and emerge as a community leader.
Similarly, a female entrepreneur armed with startup capital doesn’t merely sustain herself but creates jobs, bolsters local economies, and fosters innovation hubs that propel national growth.
“Giving to women is not charity; it is a high-yield strategy that drives faster economic expansion, fosters social cohesion, and cultivates ethical leadership, as evidenced by global studies and success stories from progressive nations,” Dr Okekpolo affirmed, positioning women’s inclusion as the cornerstone of a prosperous, equitable Africa ready to compete on the world stage.
Turning her message inward, Dr Okekpolo challenged women themselves to become agents of change by intentionally supporting one another, rather than passively awaiting external validation or systemic overhauls.
“We hold immense transformative power in our collective hands; women must give to women through building trust, opening doors to opportunities, providing mentorship, amplifying visibility, and extending grace in our interactions,” she admonished.
This strategic, relational, and emotional giving, she argued, fortifies women’s collective influence, converting individual triumphs into widespread impact that reshapes societies. She outlined a comprehensive multi-layered framework for “Give to Gain,” encompassing foundational giving to meet basic needs, economic giving via finance and market access, strategic giving through leadership and policy inclusion, generational giving focused on mentorship, and collective giving where women empower their peers.
“When these layers align seamlessly, the gains become intergenerational—empowered women raise resilient children, fortify households, revolutionise institutions, and erect the pillars of thriving nations.
The momentum is unstoppable, and the Africa we envision, prosperous, equitable, and globally competitive, will rise from women consistently uplifting each other,” Dr Okekpolo concluded with unwavering optimism.
