Duchess International Magazine recently concluded its highly anticipated second edition of the International Women’s Day Conference in Nairobi, Kenya. The four-day event, which began on the 17th of April, was filled with empowering sessions, insightful discussions, and memorable moments.
The conference kicked off with a vibrant meet and greet session, where participants from around the world reunited with old friends and connected with new faces. The atmosphere was electric as attendees from South Korea, the U.K., the U.S.A., the Republic of Ireland, Rwanda, Kenya, Lagos, Nigeria, and beyond shared their excitement for the event.
One of the highlights of the conference was a tree-planting initiative led by Bolaji Odunuga, the Convener of the event and Publisher of Duchess International Magazine. Delegates of the conference gathered at Ngong Forest in Bomas of Kenya to plant trees, symbolizing the empowerment of future generations and the initiation of a movement of mentally resilient African women.
During her speech on the final day of the conference, Bolaji Odunuga expressed her gratitude to all the delegates for their commitment to advancing the cause of women and girls worldwide. She emphasized the importance of taking ownership of African narratives and supporting women who may not have the same opportunities or resources.
She said, “For years, I have envisioned us coming together to discuss issues that truly matter to us as Africans. Last year, that vision became a reality and nothing gives me more joy than seeing women who were part of the maiden edition, being part of this year’s. It is essential, especially at this juncture, that we take ownership of our narratives, ensuring that our stories are told by us, for us, and resonate with those who share our experiences.”
The theme of this year’s conference, “Inspire Inclusion, Invest in Women,” underscored the need for African women to collaborate and network, transcending geographical boundaries to drive transformative change.
Bolaji Odunuga called on attendees to educate, empower, and uplift one another, stressing that together, they can rewrite the narrative of African women and girls, “This conference is not just about discussing issues, it is a call to action. It is a reminder that even if a gender-based issue does not directly affect us, we have a responsibility to be part of the conversation and to offer our support in any way we can. As Malala Yousafzai famously said, ‘We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.’ African women must collaborate and network, transcending geographical boundaries, to drive transformative change. Together, we can empower, uplift, and inspire the next generation of African women and girls.”
The Duchess International Women’s Day Conference 2024 was a resounding success, leaving participants inspired and motivated to make a difference in their communities and beyond.
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