Women empowerment leaders address gender roles in Lagos

At the 10th Voice of Women Conference and Awards in Lagos, prominent Nigerian figures addressed the importance of female empowerment and the rejection of restrictive domestic expectations.

Bisi Fayemi criticized the concept of the ‘one-hour woman,’ a term referring to the expectation that working women should use their breaks to perform domestic chores like cooking for husbands. Fayemi argued that such pressures hinder professional development and personal growth, urging women to use their time for networking, mentorship, or rest instead. She also called for boys to be raised with an understanding of mutual respect and responsibility in partnerships.

Keynote speaker Folorunso Alakija emphasized that women must move beyond merely having a voice to exercising true influence and creating societal impact. Alakija noted that visibility does not equate to influence and encouraged women to use their success to solve community problems and mentor the next generation. Dr. Stella Okoli also participated, highlighting the potential for women to build significant industries through their leadership.