Cash Madam, Vex Money on Lock, Her Money Is Queen … These were some of the phrases that welcomed guests to the exclusive Her Money Her Power campaign brunch held on Saturday 21st September at Alliance Française, Ikoyi, Lagos.
This gender equality campaign launched by The She Tank in partnership with BellaNaija and Big Brother Naija is focused on pushing for Women’s Economic Power in Nigeria.
The primary goal of the #HerMoneyHerPower campaign is to spark a national dialogue about women’s economic power in Nigeria and the Saturday brunch definitely set things in motion.
The event saw influential Nigerian women such as the likes of Producer, Director, Funke Akindele; Executive Head, Content and West Africa Channels MultiChoice, Dr. Busola Tejumola; Fashion Designer, Veekee James and many more in attendance.
The hosts – Arike, Ink and Hauwa Magaji set the event in motion mid afternoon.
Blessing Omakwu, the founder of The She Tank started off the major conversation with why she is launching this campaign.
“What happens when women get jobs and are not treated the same way their male colleagues are? “What happens when you go into the boardroom and your voice isn’t heard? This campaign is to shift the narrative,” she explained.
Omakwu emphasised that in order to do this, systems, cultures, norms, mindsets have to be changed and conversations set these in motion.
Indeed, these conversations were had at this event with attendees sharing what #HerMoneyHerPower meant to them, how women with power have made remarkable contributions to their growth in life and scenarios where their economic power actually gave them access, a voice and a choice.
A major highlight of the event was the session with the #HerMoneyHerPower ambassador, Funke Akindele and Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Big Brother Naija host.
During this session, it was quite clear why Funke was chosen for this, the filmmaker basically embodies a woman with Economic Power who over the years has made women the centre of her stories.
“I am a feminist when it comes to women being financially independent and encouraging women to believe in themselves and doing things on their own without depending on any other person,” she stated while explaining why she’s happy to part of the #HerMoneyHerPower campaign.
She would also go on to say men are actually losing out when they do not encourage women to become financially stable as homes with financially stable women are better off. A stance echoed by Ebuka who believes that women who are financially independent are a plus and not a minus.
Funke was quite raw with her stories, sharing how much of an impact notable women like her mother, Mo Abudu, Sade Balogun etc. have all contributed to making her the woman she is today.
The award-winning actress also highlighted how she deals with all the challenges that come with being a woman with Economic power such as negative comments, not being accorded with the same respect as some men etc.
Aside from the #HerMoneyHerPower ambassador, other women who shared their stories highlighted what pushed them to achieve Economic Power and how they are helping other women do the same.
At the end of the day, it is safe to say that the goal of #HerMoneyHerPower is closer to being achieved with these conversations and we’re absolutely glad this is happening right now.
