As part of activities marking International Women’s Day 2025 #AccelerateAction, the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF) engaged students of Pace Setters Academy across its Gwarinpa, Wuye, and Guzape campuses in Abuja on March 18, 2025, in an open discussion on The Impact of Women and Girls’ Underrepresentation in Leadership and Governance. The session aimed to inspire young minds to challenge gender stereotypes, embrace leadership roles, and advocate for greater female representation in decision making spaces.
During the discussion, students explored the barriers that limit women’s participation in governance and leadership, as well as consequences of their underrepresentation. NWTF shared inspiring examples of female leaders who have broken barriers, such as Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Amina Mohammed, and Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, emphasizing the transformative impact of women in leadership across different sectors.
Through interactive engagement, students identified key leadership qualities, reflected on the importance of diverse perspectives in governance, and discussed actionable ways to encourage and support more girls to step into leadership positions. The discussion also shed light on societal norms, mentorship gaps, and economic challenges that hinder women’s leadership aspirations and how young people can play a role in fostering change.
As a follow-up engagement, NWTF participated in Pace Setters Academy’s event on March 20, 2025, which focused on raising awareness about human trafficking and its impact on young girls and society at large. The students creatively used performing arts to advocate against this growing societal challenge, delivering powerful stage performances that depicted the dangers of exploitation, forced labour, and the urgent need for collective action to protect vulnerable individuals.
This event emphasized the power of youth engagement, awareness, and advocacy in tackling pressing societal issues. NWTF commended the students for their innovative approach and encouraged them to continue using art, education, and activism to influence positive change.
