Female Executives Launch Advocacy Group for Women in Manufacturing
L-R: Executive Director Personal Banking, Access Bank, Victor Etuokwu; Executive Vice President Unilever Ghana Nigeria, Yaw Nsarkoh; CEO, Thistle Praxis Consulting, Ini Abimbola and CEO Lafarge Africa, Michel Puchercos at the launch of Women in Manufacturing in Africa (WiMAfrica)
As part of efforts to strengthen and inspire women in their chosen career especially in the area of business, Science and Technology, an independent non-partisan organisation, the Women in Manufacturing in Africa (WIM Africa) has been birthed in Lagos.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Ogun state Commissioner for Agriculture Mrs. Adepeju Adebajo who pioneered the idea while she was managing director of Lafarge Africa Plc said WIM Africa will inspire women to grow, learn, share and inspire each other for the growth of the manufacturing sector.
Another founding member of WIM Africa the Director of Communications Public Affairs and Sustainable Development, Lafarge Africa, Mrs Folashade Ambrose-Medebem said that WIM Africa will ultimately encourage girls to take keener interest in Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) subjects in primary and secondary schools as a way of growing the pipeline of women that take up careers in the manufacturing sector.
The Executive Vice President Unilever Nigeria and Ghana Yaw Nsarkoh said, “Africa stands to benefit tremendously if more women are empowered to hold leadership positions in manufacturing and other sectors. The manufacturing sector offers opportunities for women to make their contributions to its development and the continent as a whole.”
The orgainsation believes that while cultural biases and misconceptions have been driven by both men and women, the onus is on women to challenge the status quo through consistent excellence in their chosen fields.
WIM Africa hopes to inspire and attract more women to the manufacturing sector through advocacy, mentorship and direct support for worthy causes and initiatives.
