Going for mentorship programmes, having the right support system, self-awareness and understanding strengths and weakness are among the solutions outlined by women experts in tackling workplace problems and ensuring diversity and inclusion at the Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR) talk series.
The talk series that held last weekend was themed “Towards Better Balance; Promoting Diverse and Inclusive Workplaces,” in line with the International Women’s Day theme “BalanceforBetter.” The series is held twice yearly.
WISCAR is a non-profit 12-month structured mentoring programme focused on empowering and developing professional women in diverse careers in the formal and informal economy to contribute to nation-building in Nigeria
“This discussion is a human rights issue, it is about development and moving the Nigerian identify forward. If we want to increase our GDP and social economic growth, we should ensure that we include the women and ensure that the labour force is properly utilised,” said Amina Oyagbola, founder, WISCAR.
It is believed that women make up nearly 50 percent of the population in Nigeria, but they are poorly represented in decision and management areas in the workplace, she said.
One of the panellists, Ronke Onadeko, a principal consultant, DRNL Limited, identified self-impose limitations as one of the challenges affecting diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
“Women see themselves as women and not as people. For example, when you go job-hunting, you put yourself in a woman type of role in an organisation. But this gives you a slim choice to where you can fit into,” Onadeko said.
“So, I advise women to just let their minds wonder and go anywhere. Worst case scenario, if you don’t fit it then leave. But you have at least learnt something about yourself and the environment and you will be better placed to find something better to do,” Onadeko said further”.
Nkiru Olumide-Ojo, executive head, regional marketing and communications, Standard Bank Group, said the maternal work that mothers face and not having the right support or system to run an active career add to the challenges women face.
There are several reports and data that show that improvement in national, productivity and economic growth can improve if there is diversity and inclusion of women in the workplace.
Adekanla Adegoke, head, Oando Foundation, suggested that women need to change the space in their workplaces by speaking up and also going for mentorship programmes.
“We need to ask for help if we have a problem, go for mentorship programmes and be self-aware. A lot of women don’t know their strengths and weaknesses, and the impact they have on others. We need to understand that these are very important in the workplace,” Olumide-Ojo said.
BUNMI BAILEY
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