A gender advocate, occupational health and environmental safety expert, Dr. Cynthia Obiorah has underscored the need for increased female representation in leadership positions across all sectors.

This, she said, is necessary for Nigeria to fast track the actualization of its developmental aspirations.

Dr Obiorah stated this at the weekend during the Nigerian Chapter’s Women In Safety Excellence (WISE) Workshop and Awards 2025, themed “’Breaking Barriers: Empowering Women for Transformational Leadership’.

Held virtually, The Guardian reports that the gathering drew a diverse audience including policymakers, scholars, activists, students, and representatives of international organizations.

The conference spotlighted the systemic barriers limiting women’s access to leadership roles in Nigeria and across Africa, while offering practical solutions to bridge the gap.

In her remarks, Dr Obiorah, who is the coordinator of the Nigerian Chapter of WISE, emphasized the importance of encouraging more women to step into leadership roles in the safety profession, and creating inclusive pathways for growth and innovation.

“We are not here just to talk about change—we are here to be the change. We cannot talk about national development without putting women at the center of leadership.

“Our talents, perspectives, and experiences are indispensable in shaping a safer, more equitable society. The future of leadership is inclusive—or it is incomplete,” she stated.

Dr. Obiorah, known for her work in occupational health and environmental safety, emphasized the link between gender equity and sustainable development, calling for targeted reforms in workplace policies, educational curricula, and governance structures.

“This is not the end—it is a beginning. A new chapter where women lead not as exceptions, but as the standard in occupational safety,” she added.

In separate remarks, incoming President of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), Linda Tapp and founder of SOWSHE-A and CEO of CTS Globe, Funmi Adegbola, echoed the need for sustained empowerment and structural inclusion of women in high-impact safety roles.

The event also featured panel discussions and breakout sessions addressing a range of issues, including gender-sensitive policy making, workplace harassment, mentorship for young women, and representation in political decision-making.

One panel titled “From the Margins to the Mainstream” included contributions from Hon. Zainab Aliyu, Member of the House of Representatives, and Ifeoma Udoka, Executive Director of the African Women’s Development Network. Both speakers echoed the urgency of institutional reforms and grassroots mobilization to shift cultural attitudes about gender roles.

The event concluded with the unveiling of the Abuja Declaration on Women in Leadership, a policy framework developed by a coalition of academics and gender rights groups aimed at guiding institutional action over the next decade.

The declaration outlines commitments to increase funding for women-led initiatives, enforce gender parity in government appointments, and integrate leadership training for girls at secondary and tertiary education levels.

The event also featured the presentation of the leadership excellence award, one of the event’s top honours to Dr Obiorah and other distinguished recipients. The award celebrates individuals who have demonstrated visionary leadership and made measurable impacts in safety practices and culture.