A renowned don, Distinguished Professor Ifeyinwa Nsude of Ebonyi State University has emphasized the power of communication in empowering African women and driving sustainable economic growth. She stated this during her keynote address at the just-concluded 2025 Duchess International Women’s Day Conference in Dakar Senegal.
Professor Nsude’s address tackled fundamental questions about the identity of African women, the necessity of their empowerment, and the pivotal role communication plays in facilitating this empowerment and enhancing their leadership capabilities. She defined communication as the exchange of ideas, thoughts, information, and feelings, highlighting its essence in the question: “Who says what, through which channel, to whom, with what effect?”
The keynote also addressed the challenges faced by women in a predominantly patriarchal African society, where laws and societal norms often perpetuate gender inequalities. Despite these obstacles, Professor Nsude underscored the crucial role of African women as the backbone of society, contributing significantly to the agricultural workforce and acting as peacebuilders.
Furthermore, the presentation shed light on the economic disparities faced by African women, with a significant portion living in extreme poverty and facing disadvantages in access to financial resources, the digital space, and governance. Professor Nsude offered a powerful message of hope, highlighting communication as a tool to amplify women’s voices, expand opportunities, and shape positive social norms.
The well-attended conference featured dignitaries from Africa and beyond, including the first Lady of Kebbi State, Hajiya Zainab Nasere, Bolaji Odunuga founder and publisher of Duchess International Magazine.
The address concluded with a call to action, urging African women to leverage effective communication strategies to change their narrative and unlock their full potential.
©️Jude McGabriel Ogbodo