It is no secret that women are not given the same opportunities as men. It is no secret that women are often regarded as inferior in the global society. It is no secret either, that despite centuries of oppression and debasement, women have always fought for their rightful place in society.
There has never been a time in human history when women have been more vocal about their right to equal opportunities and fairness in the glare of society. The women on this list are at the forefront of the fight to cement the woman’s place as an equal member of society and that’s why they are so inspiring:
Karo Omu: To most people, Karo needs no introduction. Since 2017, she has helped over 11,000 girls cope better with period poverty through her non-profit, Sanitary Aid Initiative. Coming from a marketing and social media role at Konga, Karo has not been vocal about women’s rights only, she also founded Foundation for the Eradication of Child Labour to fight for child rights and combat modern-day child slavery. Also, her relationship with her daughter Funmi is absolute fun to watch! What a woman.
Ayodeji Osowobi: Since 2012, Ayodeji Osowobi has led the fight against rape and societal dynamics that encourage it through her non-profit organisation, Stand To End Rape (STER). Earlier in 2019, those years of hard work culminated in Ayodeji being named as the Commonwealth Young Person of The Year, the first Nigerian to ever win the award. Once a victim herself, Ayodeji has turned her story into one of victory through her advocacy for women’s right to agency. A full queen that we stan all day every day and twice on Sundays.
Aisha Yesufu: Aisha is definitely a different breed of activist. Through her work as co-convener of the Bring Back Our Girls Movement (BBOGM), which is Nigeria’s longest standing protest according to Guardian Nigeria, Aisha has constantly reminded the Nigerian institution of its many failures. Whether it’s on social media or at the gates of power in Abuja, Aisha shows no fear in standing for what she believes in, especially women’s rights. Coming from Northern Nigeria where women are expected to be docile, Aisha is definitely a role model for young girls about fighting for their place in the world.
Jekein Lato-Unah: With a background in art and law, Jekein has been a leading voice in the advocacy for women’s rights. She is currently Programs Lead at Stand To End Rape (STER) but she is also the convener of the #ChurchToo movement which protests sexual harassment and abuse in religious institutions. Jekein also leads communication efforts for #MarketMarch, a nationwide protest against groping and harassment of women in popular Nigerian markets. Combining her talents, Jekein is one helluva inspiration to many women coming up behind her.
Ololade Ganikale: Unlike most of the other women on this list, ‘Lade’s focus is on educating young men and women in Nigeria about rape and consent. She is the founder of Hands Off Initiative, a non-profit that educates school-age children on the importance of consent and women’s agency over their bodies. She is also a founder of Here2Help Nigeria, another non-profit dedicated to catering for abused domestic workers and getting justice for victimised domestic workers. At 23 years old, ‘Lade has shown that the next generation of women in Nigeria have great women to look up to.
Do you know any other women who are positively affecting lives through their activism? Send us an email or drop their name in the comments!
