2020 Imo International Women’s Day Celebration
Held at Rockview Hotel, Owerri
Saturday, March 7, 2020
Keynote Address
By Rev. Fr. Dr. Godswill Agbagwa
Founder and President, CSAAE
On behalf of the board of directors, staff and members of CSAAE, I heartily welcome Imolites to the 2020 International Women’s Day Celebration. Every year, the 8th of March is set aside by the international community to celebrate the passion, struggles, achievements and strength of women, regardless of race, tribe, color, language or religion.
Our organization, the Centre for Social Awareness, Advocacy and Ethics (CSAAE) has put this event together to celebrate and support hardworking Imo women who toil day and night to raise their children. For too long, women in Imo and across the world have been marginalized in almost every sector of the society. For instance, in the current Imo House of Assembly, we have only two women. Economically, women are ranked among the poorest in the society. The marginalization of women is not only injurious to women but also to the human race because women have the potentials to make this world a better place for us all.
As a not-for-profit social enterprise dedicated to harnessing the potential of young people and helping them build the capacities, competencies and character necessary to sustain themselves, create opportunities that help others sustain themselves and embrace their roles as critical actors in building a better Africa, we pay special attention to women. We have special programs designed to empower girls, young moms and emerging female leaders. Here in Imo, we have the Young Imo Mompreneurs Initiative (YIMI), an economic empowerment program that helps young Imo mothers, especially bread-winners in rural areas, develop businesses to sustain their families and create opportunities that help others sustain themselves
The CSAAE 2020 Imo International Women’s Day Celebration is bringing Imo people together to celebrate and support these hardworking Imo women especially the “bread-winner-moms” raising multiple children. We have lined up various activities to benefit these and other enterprising Imo women gathered here today. Some of the activities include:
- First Imo Women Business Linkage to connect small-scale Imo business women with large buyers and customers
- Talk on how to get up to N10m CBN Loans
- Fundraising to empower struggling Imo business women.
- Free HIV, Hepatitis, Diabetes and BP screening
- Awards to Imolites empowering poor Imo women
- Success stories by Imo mothers
- Instant sales of displayed goods to the public
In addition to these, we have invited an Imo woman, Dr. Mrs. C.U. Njoku (who despite the many challenges women face in Imo State has achieved sterling success) to inspire and motivate fellow Imo women today. Mrs. Njoku, you are most welcome, and we look forward to learning from you today. I also welcome in a special way the many Imo men and women who have been empowering Imo women. Today, we honor a few of you to let you know that your efforts have not gone unnoticed and to encourage others to do more for Imo women. In our midst today, are many successful Imo men and women. We have invited you to this event to share in the struggles of many Imo women who despite their hard works are still financially challenged. We hope you can work with us to support them because when women are economically empowered, everyone benefits. Finally, hearty welcome to our hardworking Imo women who have come here today to share their stories and to grow. Hopefully, through this event, some of you can experience upward economic growth.
My dear people of Imo State, while the international community celebrates women once a year, my team and I at CSAAE are asking each of you to continue to celebrate daily the great Imo women in our lives and I urge those in positions of power and wealth to do more for our women. Our Centre is open to further conversations with the government, individuals and groups who wish to work with us towards sustainable economic growth for Imo women.
Once again, thanks for joining us. Please sit back, relax and enjoy the 2020 Imo International Women’s Day Celebrations brought to you by CSAAE and her partners.
