The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Nigeria’s foremost brewery company, Jordi Borrut Bel has reaffirmed the company’s commitment to gender parity in the workplace. Bel made this known while giving the closing remarks at the webinar organized by Nigerian Breweries Plc as part of activities commemorating this year’s International Women’s Day in Lagos on March 8, 2021.
“Nigerian Breweries Plc is a great company to work with, we would continue to push further for gender parity and ensure it remains a company where we can give our best without any discrimination”, Bel said. He also noted that the increasing number of women in the company is clear evidence that it provides equal opportunities to both genders.
The webinar was organized by the Women In Nigerian Breweries (WINB), a network of all female employees in the company, created to protect their interests and encourage them to be the best they can be.
At the event, speakers drawn from different fields across the country agreed on the need for women to make deliberate decisions to challenge what poses as great barriers, stereotypes, or bias to the success of their careers or life endeavors.
The conference which was themed “Choose to Challenge” had in attendance top management staff of Nigerian Breweries Plc, United Nation Deputy Women Country Representative, Mr. Lansanna Wonneh, Mental Health Advocate and Human Right activist, Hauwa Ojeifo, a retired Nigerian Naval Officer and Architect, Rear Admiral Itunu Hotonu and employees from Nigerian Breweries Plc among others.
The Digital & Technology Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mrs. Phil Aneke charged women to be more curious if they hope to be successful in both career and life, stating that they must constantly reinvent themselves.
Aneke who spoke on the topic “Rising above Workplace Gender Barriers” urged them to be deliberate about challenging those doubts that could make them less confident.
Highlighting some of the foundational principles that have contributed immensely to her career growth in Nigerian Breweries Plc, she urged women to clearly define their purpose early in life.
While listing other principles to include honesty, values and passion, Aneke stated that; “If you don’t speak up, you would lose out on opportunities. You also need to be objectives about your discomfort. You cannot say yes to every task. Be aware that every decision you make has consequences”, she said.
On her part, retired Nigerian Naval Officer and Architect, Rear Admiral, Itunu Hotonu stated that women must take up the enormous responsibilities of challenging the status quo if they are to overcome stereotypes, adding that they should not be afraid to be confrontational when the need arises.
Speaking on the topic ‘Cultural Stereotypes that impede gender parity and Way Forward’, United Nation Women Deputy Country Representative, Lansanna Wonneh explained that societies have created a lot of stereotypes for most women which has become a big challenge to contend with, adding that there is an urgent need for women and men to make a conscious effort in deconstructing the cultural stereotypes associated with the society.
In her presentation, mental health advocate and human rights activist, Hauwa Ojeifo who spoke on the topic “Resilience in the face of Challenges” said women must be ready to speak up to challenge established norms if they are to overcome any problem confronting them.
International Women’s Day, March 8, is a day set aside globally to celebrate women across the world for their social, economic and political achievements.
