Women in Advertising marks 2021 IWD, tasks womenfolk on status quo
Women in Advertising, an affiliate of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), has marked its 2021 edition of International Women’s Day to celebrate women the world over, especially those in the advertising industry.
The online webinar with the theme: #ChooseToChallenge, a conversation with women who challenge status quo, designed to empower others and break boundaries, was organised by AAAN, moderated by Co-Founder/Director of Strategy, YBR, Nnenna Onyewuchi and led by industry thought leaders.
The 60-minute provocative session, with focus on this year’s theme, featured interactive panel discussions led by advertising women gurus in the industry as panelists, as they used the theme to explore how women can navigate through various societal challenges confronting them, thereby challenging the status quo hindering women from reaching their full potential in all spheres of life endeavours without being held back by gender-imposed barriers.
The session provided an opportunity for panelists to share their cultural, professional and societal gender-based experiences, life experiences which showed how they were able to break-away, and how it has helped them to challenge status quo, while encouraging others to do the same in order to break every form of boundary preventing women from realising their full potential.
They took a holistic look at the reflection of women in the media and other cultural practices which have conditioned women’s thinking and have placed them in a cocoon of low esteem in the society.
Tola Obi, MD, CentrespreadGrey, referred the society as patriarchal in nature, and therefore encouraged women to add value to themselves by seeking further career knowledge.
She said: “The situation is not going to change any soon; women should find a way to work around the prejudice by being prepared and over-prepared, by building their confidence, adding to their knowledge, competence and professionalism. Women should ensure they are the best in any sphere of life so that their presence will not be subsidized with other gender’s presence, as gender does not define competence.”
She noted that as far as the world remains a patriarchal society, women will continue to be confronted with these challenges because it is the society that determines how a woman will live her life, especially when it comes to advancing in her chosen profession.
The advertising expert while baring her mind on sexual harassment, called for holistic social restructure. In her advice, she said: “Victims of sexual harassment should report the case to avoid the feeling of being insecure, look for an ally, either in a colleague or friend who can help you to fight or stand in your place as the victim”.
She appealed to the older women to learn to believe young women when they complain of sexual harassment, to help bring offenders to book, as one of the measures to reduce the crime.
Sharing her thought on the theme, Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Union Bank, Ogochukwu Ekezie-Ekaidem, spoke intensively on how women can navigate their way when faced with career challenges. She charged women to support one another at workplace, while appealing to older women to advocate for younger women in showcasing them. She pointed out that sponsorship is key in helping and promoting young women working with you in the same office.
According to her, “older women should commend them for promotion when they are working hard and encourage people to ask for things they deserve by helping to position them for those things they are looking for”.
She urged older women to help younger ones in realising their dreams and aspirations, fight unjust treatment, help to ensure that unjust policies against women are removed totally thereby advancing the younger ones’ career.
On the issue of maternity leave, Tola Obi advised that women should plan around their responsibility before and after pregnancy to avoid too much pressure and workload, being fully aware that motherhood comes with responsibility
Finally, the panelists unanimously agreed that if challenges such as disparity in remuneration, cultural bias, rigid working terms and conditions are challenged and confronted, the status quo will definitely change to a more meaningful society.
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