In a landmark commitment to gender equality and sustainable social transformation, Anambra youths convened for the first-ever youth-led International Women’s Day (IWD) commemoration on March 8, 2025.
The event, themed “Character: Protecting and Promoting Womanhood for Sustainable Community Progress,” highlighted the urgency of addressing gender-based violence (GBV) and fostering youth-led advocacy for social change.
The program commenced with a Neurohealth sensitization session facilitated by Neuro G Foundation in collaboration with the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN). Experts, including Dr. (Mrs.) Uchechukwu Cecilia Nkem (psychiatrist), Dr. Ofojebe Binyelum Adaobi (pediatrician, NAUTH), and Ogochukwu Okpala (500-level medical student, UNIZIK), emphasized the importance of mental health awareness, identifying stressors, and fostering emotional intelligence, particularly among young boys.
A panel discussion on women’s leadership across several sectors, inspired by the global theme “Accelerating Action,” featured prominent female professionals, including:
Mrs. Amara Oyeka, SSA IGR to Governor Soludo;
Mrs. Ify Unachukwu, Head of TV, ABS; Mrs. Chetanna Ezeani, Founder, Anambra Business Vendors and
Mrs. Onyinye Mmecha, Community Manager, LM Tech Hub.
They highlighted barriers to women’s empowerment while encouraging resilience, leadership, and self-advocacy to reduce vulnerabilities to GBV.
A poignant experience-sharing session on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) was led by public health workers from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka, with the Revd. Sr. Elizabeth Umeh (nurse/midwife) led team condemning the practice and detailing its devastating physical, psychological, and physiological effects. Other members of the team include nurse Okoye Chinwendu, nurse Ajuzie Kenechukwu, nurse Celestina Ogochukwu Asonwu, nurse Ezeobi Ujunwa Jacinta and Obiora Maureen Obiamaka.
In a thought-provoking paper presentation on marriage instability, Lady Vera Oby Onyenwe (Life Member, CWO President, Awka Diocese) advised young women to prioritize self-preservation over societal pressures to marry, advocating for informed and healthy relationship choices.
The “He for She” session, featuring male advocates for gender equality, reinforced the need for men to champion women’s empowerment. Speakers included:
Dr. Chibueze Oforbuike, Mayor of Aguata LGA;
Comrade Ken Okoli, PG, ASATU Youth Wing;
Mr. Ozioma Anieto, Founder, Oba Ji and
Mr. Victor Onyekwelu, International Society for Human Rights Ambassador.
Earlier, in her welcome address, Mrs. Chinwe Nweke, CEO and Managing Consultant of IDK Learning Centre, emphasized the urgency of character reformation among youths as a foundation for a progressive society. She described the event as a collaborative initiative between IDK Learning Centre and The Light TV Show with Ify Aronu-Okafor, reaffirming her commitment to youth engagement programs for employability and value re-orientation.
Speaking on the vision behind the initiative, Ify Aronu-Okafor, the event convener and Nigeria’s Champion of the UN Summit of the Future, noted that the celebration aimed to increase youth involvement in combating GBV. She referenced the recent horrific incidents of women being burned to death in Anambra State, stressing the need for resilience building and imbibing social love to counteract inherited social trauma and injustice.
“We are the architects of our future. We must not let trauma shape us into oppressors or bystanders. Instead, let us heal, rise, and rebuild our communities with the power of social love,” she urged.
Appreciating the event sponsors and partners – NeuroG Foundation, The Anambra State Health Insurance Agency and The Doctor Chinedu Umeadi Foundation.
” We have a mandate to host and facilitate insightful events periodically, to open the minds of our people to the global world.”
“Our objective is to enthrone a culture of attending sensitization/interactive sessions with resource persons to understand issues, engage conversations and make better informed decisions in diverse areas of life”.
She called on philanthropist and organisations operating within and outside the state to sponsor the novel qualitative youth development initiative as a strategic support for the ongoing fight against insecurity in Anambra State by the government of Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo.
The hybrid event, attended physically by over 150 youth representatives from the coalition of Anambra youth groups, women groups and the public, as well as over 200 virtual participants, took place at IDK Learning Centre, Awka, Anambra State.
