The USAID’s Engendering Industries’ briefing on gender equality in male-dominated industries has come and gone with take-home lessons learnt.

The 3-day programme began with the USAID’s Engendering Industries team’s assessment and validation of ISWSC’s performances, report and survey submitted to the team sometime ago. At ISWSC Conference Hall, Khumo Mokhethi, Emma Edwards, Cody Ragonese and Alec Jacobson each facilitated and advocated for more gender inclusivity in all segments of ISWSC’s affairs, especially on technical and on-field departments. This was followed by ISWSC gender equality performance presentation which was delivered by Mr Eustace Onyealisi. Then came a question-and-answer session, particularly from some ISWSC senior management and ISWSC’s Brand Ambassador Deborah Uchechi Uchenna. There was also validation and advocacy outing to Imo Girls’ Secondary School, Owerri, to interact with students, staff and management of the school on gender inclusivity. To wrap it up, ISWSC led the USAID’s Engendering Industries Team on a tour to Otamiri Waterworks Plant. It was not about touring but about ensuring that ISWSC as a partner is a gender-sensitive corporation. Indeed, there are over 50% of the leadership positions occupied by females with equal opportunities in major areas.

Day 2 shifted to ISWSC Resource Centre, where a few internal stakeholders of ISWSC also participated in issues such as differences between gender and sex, gender equality and equity, and gender stereotypes after which they formed Focal Group Discussion (FGD) of 4 members in order to exchange ideas and reflect on what they read from the manual shared to them. For a fact, ISWSC is a pathfinder in gender equality in Imo, a pacesetter in gender equity.

In the meantime, the advocacy was also taken to Darling FM to discuss more on the role the Corporation is taking to ensure that the society is better by standing up against all forms of discrimination and oppressive norms that restrict women and the girl child’s empowerment opportunities. Another engagement was later moved to the Office of the Director of Gender, Imo State Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Vulnerable Groups, where Dr Blessing Azubuike briefed Khumo Mokhethi and Alec Jacobson on the relationship between the Ministry and ISWSC in ensuring that Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Bill was passed into law. She noted that Imo State VAPP Law of No 8 2021 was a collaborative effort of all stakeholders despite oppositions from certain quarters.

The last day was at Protea Hotel, Owerri, where external stakeholders, ISWSC’s Brand Ambassador Deborah Uchechi Uchenna, and ISWSC management and staff, including MD/CEO of the Corporation Engr Emeka Ugoanyanwu participated in. The Special Adviser to the Governor Hon Tanana Biaduo and Dr Blessing Azubuike Director of Gender, Imo State Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Vulnerable Groups, also graced the occasion with their separate remarks to support gender equality in Imo state, thereby juicing the event with encouraging words from the governor Senator Hope Uzodimma.

Of course, discussions in the last day focused majorly on male engagement and ally-ship for gender inclusivity in male-dominated industries. The Chief Facilitator and Coach of the programme Khumo Mokhethi appealed to the participants to take home the gospel of gender equality to their various homes and workplaces.

The programme ended with the participants taking a group photo with the facilitators and MD/CEO of ISWSC.

Christopher Ononukwe

Communications Desk Officer, ISWSC