Gender equality, women empowerment in focus as EMPLI stages 5km walk to celebrate Int’l Women Day in Abuja
Yinka ADETUNJI
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The need to promote gender equality, women’s empowerment and peace building was the central point of the 2025 International Women’s Day programme organized by an Abuja-based non-governmental organization, Empowering Women for Peace and Leadership Inititaive (EWPLI), Saturday.
In conjunction with Komfort Fitness and Exclusive Serene Hotel, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, EWPLI organized a 5km walk starting from the Exclusive Serene Hotel at Reuben Okoya Crescent, Wuye, through the Finance Bridge, FRSC office back to the hotel, accompanied by music and dancing and display of banner/placards with various inscriptions such as “Strong Women Stronger Peace #EWPLI5kmWalk,” “Empowered Women Secured Nation #EWPLI5kmWalk,” “Healthy Women Strong Leaders! #EWPLI5kmWalk,” “Healthy Woman Peaceful WOrld #EWPLI5kmWalk,” etc.
According to Mrs. Olanike Ganiyu, the Canada-based founder of EWPLI, the “key goals of the 5km walk are promoting awareness of gender equality and women’s rights, encouraging physical and mental well-being among participants, strengthening partnerships with like-minded organizations and stakeholders and mobilizing public support for policies that promote gender inclusivity.”
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Asked to assess the impact of the event Mrs. Comfort noted that based on social media comments it had amplified awareness by sparking discussions on women rights and deeper commitment to promoting gender equality, strengthening of collective effort towards promoting an inclusive society, pledge of support by various stakeholders to henceforth support initiatives that advance women’s rights in policy and governance, adding, “the event trended on social media with participants sharing their experiences using the hashtag #Ewpli5kmWalk and #IWD2025.”
She reiterated that the 5km walk was about “awareness and walking in celebration of women in security professions and leadership,” emphasizing, “When women rise, communities thrive.”
