The Executive Director of the Committed Soul Women Health Advocacy Africa Initiative (COSWOHI), Mrs Emanuella Nwabrije-Adeleke, has urged the government and stakeholders to prioritise the inclusion of young women in decision-making processes, particularly in healthcare, education, and politics.
She made the call at the Art and Impact 2026 International Women’s Day event, organised by COSWOHI in collaboration with Alliance Française in Ibadan.
Nwabrije-Adeleke emphasised that young women must no longer be excluded from policies and programmes that directly affect their lives, noting that their voices are critical to building inclusive and sustainable communities.
“We want young women and girls to be represented. When it comes to healthcare services, education policies, and politics, they must be involved,” she said.
She explained that empowerment goes beyond skill acquisition and economic support, emphasising that true empowerment means giving women a seat at decision-making tables.
According to her, meaningful inclusion is essential for sustainable development and long-term societal progress.
“The future lies in young women and girls. If we fail to include them today, we risk weakening the foundation of tomorrow,” she warned.
Nwabrije-Adeleke also highlighted the importance of the artistic and cultural exhibitions featured at the event, describing them as powerful tools for advocacy and awareness, noting that the displays reflected the resilience of women while also shedding light on the hidden challenges many face.
“A woman can appear strong outwardly but may be struggling internally. Without empowerment, many women lack the voice and the choices needed to navigate life’s challenges,” she said.
She further outlined COSWOHI’s achievements since its establishment in 2015, including programmes focused on HIV prevention, human rights advocacy, and economic empowerment for vulnerable women.
One of its major interventions, supported by the French Embassy, has provided skill acquisition training directly to over 1,000 women and has indirectly reached an additional 2,000 beneficiaries through peer-to-peer learning. The initiative also targets adolescent girls, equipping them with skills for self-reliance and leadership.
In her remarks, the President of the Board of Alliance Française, Mrs Funsho Adegbola, reaffirmed the importance of promoting women’s rights and encouraged beneficiaries of empowerment programmes to extend their impact to others.
“We are proud to host this exhibition. The French government continues to support culture, the arts, and community initiatives, and we are pleased to provide this platform,” she said, adding that women’s rights must be recognised as fundamental human rights.
Also speaking, the Health Commissioner of Oyo State, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, represented by Dr Ebunola Adeoye, reaffirmed the Oyo State Government’s commitment to advancing women’s health, dignity, and inclusion.
She noted that the state government is committed to promoting stigma-free and inclusive sexual and reproductive health services, while also addressing public health challenges such as neglected tropical diseases through free treatment, school-based deworming, and community outreach programmes.
Similarly, Mrs Oluyemisi Abiola, representing the Ministry of Education, emphasised the role of education in empowering women and addressing long-standing inequalities.
She called for deliberate efforts to promote inclusive education, challenge societal stereotypes, and create opportunities for women to succeed.
The event brought together government officials, civil society organisations, and development partners to discuss practical strategies for advancing gender equality and strengthening the empowerment of women and girls throughout Oyo State.