When you talk about business in the world, especially in Africa, it is more of a male thing. The terminology, “businessman” is more pronounced. This is not an article to castigate the male folk or highlight gender dominance; instead, it aims to show and promote the peculiarity of women, specifically mothers, contributing their own quota to the growth of family finances and economic development.
Many mothers are indispensable in family finances. I have seen pitiable sights of 6-8 months old pregnant women hawking their wares on the streets just to ensure that the family survives. In rural areas, farming is not left for men alone, mothers are also involved. In many open markets across Africa, we see the energy, of the female power, in business.
Folunrosho Alakija is one of Africa’s foremost business women. We have Janine Basel, Nafi Affogbolo, Jakki Liberman, Maia Haag, Lisa Greenwald, to mention but a few. What is so special about these women? They are mothers who have distinguished themselves in a “man’s” business world. Their contribution to their family finance and their nation’s economy is nothing short of awesome.
The woman “energy” can also be harnessed in its multitude to further the advancement of family finances and economic growth.
The Centre for Social Awareness Advocacy and Ethics has seen the potential of a mother’s participation in economic growth and family development and has taken steps in promoting women participation in entrepreneurship.
This informed the just concluded Mompreneur Program, a flaghsip conference held on March 23rd, 2019 at Immaculate Hotel in Imo State, Nigeria.
A lot has been done and achieved by mothers and women in general, but more can still be achieved.
Ubazoro, Chikezie Russell (EAL)
