A Shift Driven by Diversity

For decades, the biggest barriers to women’s leadership have been cultural expectations and deeply rooted gender norms. In many communities, leadership was historically associated with masculinity, authority, and dominance—qualities women were discouraged from embodying. But multicultural societies have created spaces where cross-cultural exchange, migration, and global awareness allow new perspectives to flourish.

Younger generations of women—particularly women of colour, immigrants, and daughters of diaspora families—are stepping into leadership roles that their mothers and grandmothers were denied. They bring with them lived experiences shaped by multiple cultural identities, giving them a unique ability to bridge divides, represent diverse groups, and advocate for inclusive policies.

To continue breaking barriers, societies must invest in education, mentorship, representation, and inclusive policies – Shakirat Hassan

Cultural Barriers Still Present—but Crumbling

Despite progress, many women continue to face challenges rooted in cultural norms. Expectations around family roles, modesty, obedience, or preserving cultural traditions can conflict with leadership ambitions. Women in some communities still face the pressure to “not stand out,” to avoid appearing overly assertive, or to prioritise domestic responsibilities above professional aspirations.

However, these cultural barriers are slowly being dismantled—often by women themselves. Community leaders, activists, entrepreneurs, and educators are challenging outdated norms, insisting that cultural identity and leadership are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they argue that cultural diversity strengthens leadership by bringing empathy, emotional intelligence, and broader social awareness into public life.

Leadership That Looks Different

What sets today’s multicultural female leaders apart is not just their presence but their style. Their leadership is often collaborative, community-oriented, and grounded in social responsibility. In workplaces, they champion inclusive hiring, cultural sensitivity, and equity. In politics, they advocate for policies that consider marginalised voices. Online, they use digital platforms to amplify stories often overlooked by mainstream media.

This shift represents a new kind of leadership—one that values compassion over dominance, dialogue over hierarchy, and cultural intelligence over conformity.

The Power of Representation

Representation remains one of the most transformative forces in this movement. When young women see leaders who share their heritage, their accent, their challenges, or their struggles, they begin to imagine leadership as a possibility for themselves. Each woman who breaks through a cultural barrier holds the door open for the next.

In multicultural societies, this visibility is especially powerful. It signals that leadership is no longer a privilege reserved for the few but an opportunity available to all.

From Community to Global Impact

Women redefining leadership are not only influencing their local communities—they are shaping global conversations. Whether advocating for mental health awareness within traditionally silent communities, reforming education systems to reflect diverse histories, or championing women’s rights in underrepresented groups, their impact stretches far beyond their cultural origins.

Their leadership challenges outdated narratives and presents a model where cultural heritage is a strength, not a limitation.

The Path Ahead

While progress is undeniable, true gender and cultural equality in leadership remains a work in progress. To continue breaking barriers, societies must invest in education, mentorship, representation, and inclusive policies. Communities must support women’s ambitions, challenge discriminatory norms, and celebrate cultural diversity as a foundation—not a barrier—for leadership.

Women from multicultural backgrounds are proving that leadership does not have a single look, voice, or identity. As they continue to rise, they are reshaping societies, inspiring future generations, and redefining what it means to lead in a world rich with cultural complexity.

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The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister (Mrs) Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye disclosed this today in her Office in Abuja when she received in audience, a delegation from the National Population Commission, led by its Chairman, Hon. Nasir Kwarra.

Uju stated that the move was in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration which seeks to alleviate poverty through job creation, thereby contributing to peace and security at the home front and family at large

She stated further that under her watch, the Ministry will continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders and other government agencies in order to unlock the potentials of women through skill acquisition and vocational trainings that will empower them to be self reliant, thus making positive contribution to the economic growth of the nation.

Earlier, the Chairman, National Population Commission, Honourable Nasir Kwarra, stated that they were in the Ministry to explore areas of collaboration, especially in their planned nationwide demographic studies with specific focus on women and vulnerable children.

This, he added, was part of efforts to provide government with evidence-based and informed decisions regarding gender-based policies and possible interventions.

Hon. Nasir explained that the Ministry of Women Affairs plays a critical role in child welfare, gender, disability as well as other social related issues and that this will be maximized through the provision of accurate and reliable data by the Commission to help in the implementation of programmes by the Ministry and other stakeholders.

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The Flamingos won 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes of regulation time.

Coming into the game, the Americans were tipped as the favourites but Onamuzo Edafe gave Nigeria the lead just after 25 minutes. A VAR review had confirmed a foul on Amina Bello with the referee wasting no time in pointing to the spot.

The Americans piled pressure on the Nigerians and were rewarded just before half-time. They equalized in the 40th minute through Amalia Martina Villarreal’s strike.

Both teams started the second half trying to get a second goal with the US dominating much of the encounter. But it never came resulting in a penalty shootout to decide who goes into the semi-final.

Nigeria will now play the winner of the game (holding on Saturday) between Colombia and Tanzania on Wednesday, October 26th, 2022.

The post Nigeria Beat US, Reach First-Ever FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Semi-Final appeared first on Daily Dates Nigeria.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, made the pledge when the leadership of National Council for Women Societies (NCWS) in company with the Committee on Women-in-National Service Week (WINSERVE 2022) led by its President, Hajiya Lami Adamu Lau, paid him a courtesy call in his office.

SGF said that with proper enabling legislations and institutions, the rights of the women and children would be adequately protected. In his words:
“I believe that this partnership would help in implementing the United Nations Resolution on Gender and Affirmative Action and those of the SDGs; so that we can ensure that the rights of women and children are adequately protected and institutions that will ensure that these things are implemented”.

He commended the partnership between the National Council for Women Societies (NCWS) and FGN NIMEC Project office in tackling the hydra headed challenges that are being presently faced like gender violence, drugs and other substance abuse, the cases of out-of-school youths and other related social vices.

He added that the partnership will go a long way to alleviate the plight of women and children who are among the most vulnerable in the society.

In a bid to assuage trauma-related cases been faced by women and children in the society, the SGF opined for a trauma therapy for women and children for their mental wellbeing. He added that the trauma therapy becomes imperative as women and children are left traumatized in the event of conflicts.

He showered encomiums on women who are making the nation proud in the global scenes with the examples of the Director-General of World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr.(Mrs) Ngozi Okonjo Iweala; the Deputy UN Secretary General, Mrs. Amina Mohammed; Tobi Amusan, who won a gold medal for Nigeria in a recent World Championship in Oregon, US; amongst others.
He further assured the NCWS of government’s readiness to render support toward the success of the Women-in-National Service Week (WINSERVE 2022).

Earlier, the President of the National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), Hajiya Lami Adamu Lau congratulated the SGF on the giants strides he has achieved as SGF and the Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Covid-19 which earned him the prestigious award of National Productivity Order of Merit (NPoM) award.

She said that organization alone cannot tackle gender violence (particularly rape), drug abuse, out-of-school children, youth unemployment and related social vices alone, hence the partnership with FGN-NIMEC Projects office.

Hajiya Lau sought government’s support to speed up the process of implementing the United Nations Resolution on Gender Affirmative Action (Beijing 95) and the UN-Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She added that it’s their acceptance to co-host and co-organise the forthcoming Women- In-National Service Week (WINSERVE) was borne out of determination to ensure the promotion and defence of Women’s and Children’s Rights, in all ramifications.

Speaking also, the Director and Head of FGN Projects of the Implementation Committee, Federal Ministry of Finance Budget and National Planning, Dr. M.A Yakassai, highlighted the lines of events during the forthcoming Women- In-National Service Week (WINSERVE) event which includes the National Colloquium on Gender and National Development, the Presidential Dinner Award which would confer national awards on prominent Nigerian women and former First Ladies of the Federal Government of Nigeria, who have made great impacts through their lofty pet projects, amongst other activities.

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The women gathered early morning at the Three Arms zone and marched to the National Assembly gate chanting songs of solidarity.

The groups demand that the Federal lawmakers take another look at the requests for 111 seats for women, citizenship, 35% representation in party leadership, more appointive positions in government, and vote in favour of these amendments.

The groups gathered for the protest include the United Nations Population Fund (UNPF), Federation of Muslim Women Association (FOMWA), Women Organisation for Change in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management (WOCAN), Association of Women in the Arts (AWITA), Women In Business (WIMBIZ), Action Aid, Yiaga Africa, the Islamic Youth League, among others.

A Communications and Public Relations Consultant, Mary Ikoku, yelled: “women are better leaders”!

The Bill titled ‘Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for Special Seat for Women in the National and State Houses of Assembly; and for Related Matters,’ failed after most of the lawmakers voted against it.

The lawmakers during the plenary on Tuesday voted on 68 Constitution Amendment bills.

The bill for special seats for women was defeated in the Senate with 58 votes out of 91 while in the House of Representatives 208 out of 290 lawmakers voted against it.

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UN Women is recruiting to fill the positions below:

1.) Project Officer, Women’s Political Empowerment (WPE) – Abuja
Deadline: 17th January, 2022.
Click Here To View Details

2.) Technical Expert, Women Political Leadership / Federal House of Representatives
Location: Abuja
Deadline: 10th January, 2022.
Click Here To View Details

3.) Project Officer, Women’s Political Empowerment (WPE) – Borno
Location: Borno                Deadline: 10th January, 2022.
Click here to apply online

4.) Project Officer, Women’s Political Empowerment (WPE) – Abuja

Deadline: 10th January, 2022.
Click here to apply online

5.) Program Finance Associate, Women’s Political Empowerment (WPE)
Location: Abuja                      Deadline: 10th January, 2022.
Click here to apply online

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“Children, for me, is the basic reason I need a man. Otherwise, their wahala is way too much than the short moment of sexual enjoyment they offer.” A mother of two told me recently when she accompanied her friend to a counselling session.

Her friend had made up her mind to quit her marriage because, according to her, she’s suffering in silence over the years without her man caring about her emotional wellbeing. This week alone, I have spoken to several women experiencing a similar problem in their marriages. At some point, I decided to attend to the issue this week.

Going through my mailbox, I have several issues relating to poor and fitful sexual activities affecting many homes. In most cases, women are the ones complaining. I have only three men out of 44 cases of sex-related issues I received between March and May 23, 2021. Their complaints are mostly about poor erection, quick ejaculation, neglect for weeks or months without intimacy, refusal to explore new techniques to improve the act and outright abandonment by their men while they chase after other women. The men’s cases also vary. One complained that he usually experience erectile dysfunction only at home; the second man complained that he could not satisfy his woman in bed no matter how hard he tried, while the third complained that his wife is “stingy with her body” as she won’t allow him access whenever he so desired. “It is over three months now that I slept with my wife. She even threatened to report that I raped her if I won’t let her be.” The man said he got to know through his wife that a man could be charged for rape in marriage. “I’m not the type that messes around with women. Otherwise, I would have had another relationship outside and abandon her.”

Among the feedback, a particular message is touching. It was sent by a woman who later called to explain further her situation. She has been married for 18 years but some years were spent in what she called “marital celibacy.” She revealed how for six years she feigned happiness that never existed to cover up for her man and maintain a semblance of a happy home. Her words:

“I never believed that marriage could be miserable for an ambitious woman like me until I experienced it. I entered into marriage with so much hope, excitement and desire for fulfilment as a young woman. I lived a relatively decent life throughout my school years. I reserved my urges and affection for my future husband so I could enjoy my marriage to the fullest. Before I married, I only had sex due to naivety and deceit in what could easily be termed rape or ‘induced sex’ because I was drugged through a drink by my boyfriend. He later apologised for his action but said he did it because I was not ready to allow him to have sex with me. The next man in my life 18 years after the incident is my husband.

“The first three years of my marriage was averagely exciting. After our second child, my man started keeping late nights by clubbing. Later, he began womanising to the extent of passing nights outside the home. This lasted for about four years until he contracted chronic sexually transmitted infections. As soon as I could no longer vouch for his decency, I didn’t allow him to have unprotected sex with me, and thank God I took that decision. As I write this mail, he is practically inactive as he couldn’t perform sexually again. He has spent so much money treating the infections which have not improved his condition. To be honest with you, I have been without sexual intimacy for six years now which is due to no fault of mine. People say husband and wife signed “for better, for worse” deal but not when you deliberately went randy to hurt your partner and then you expect the scorned, cheated partner to keep bearing the brunt of your reckless lifestyle. There’s a limit to human endurance. I’m tired, sir, and I want to quit.”

During our conversation, she explained that she suspected that her husband may have been harmed by one of her numerous girlfriends using diabolical powers. According to her, she heard her husband telling one of his friends during a telephone conversation that a particular woman had vowed to deal with him in a way he will regret having anything to do with her. “Sir, if you see my husband outside, you will think he’s a perfectly healthy man. I guess he got infected by the woman and he angrily confronted her. It led to serious acrimony that they threatened each other. It will be seven years next November that we had sexual intimacy last as a couple. I have been carrying the cross ever since; and, I’m now tired and too weak to continue. Therefore, I need to move on. I have just a life to live. I have tried enough.

“In all of this, he’s not remorseful. He’s seriously bitter about his health condition. He couldn’t open up to those that could help him. I have told him that I was tired and I will move on anytime soon,” she said, adding that her husband was not bothered about her notice.

She declined to link me up with her husband for us to talk and see if help can be accessed. She said her man is so secretive. “I don’t want his troubles, sir. Even his family members are not aware of his condition. They’re aware that we have issues but the depth of our problem is not known to them. They think it is a normal misunderstanding that couples do have. I’m sure they will know more when I quit.”

This woman is just one of many women who are squaring up to their emotional challenges quietly. Strong and principled women have “fallen” into extramarital affairs due to the vulnerable condition they found themselves in as a consequence of their ordeal. It takes the abundant grace of God in such precarious situation to trudge through the fainting moments. Indeed the spirit is willing but the flesh is so weak to carry through.

The reality is that both sexes do experience such challenges. Several men, including supposed “strong men”, are wailing in their closets as a result of what they go through under their roofs. It is not every “happy couple” that are truly happy. Many are mere packaging and make-believe. You need to work on your emotional life by upgrading your sex life for your happiness and fulfilment. Beyond sex, attitudinal and character modification is essential. Like I counselled the woman, all hope is not lost if she could convince her man to seek help and counseling from experts.

Without sex, there’s no deep bonding among couples. Sex makes the difference between friends and spouses. It is the only secret act that couples do without a witness. It is the right enjoyed by two legitimate partners. It has both health and emotional benefits. Likewise, sex lightens the mood, softens anger, diffuses tension, make couples bond stronger after quarrelling moments and, it is an ordained source of procreation where Godly seeds are brought forth.

Do have a sexy weekend.

The post Sex: ’Suffering in Silence, I Want to Quit’ appeared first on Daily Dates Nigeria.

Samia Suluhu Hassan will serve the rest of Magufuli’s second five-year term, which would lapse by 2025.

Hassan who is a former office clerk and development worker, began her political career in 2000 in her native Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous archipelago, before being elected to the national assembly on mainland Tanzania and assigned a senior ministry.

Samia was nominated by Magufuli as his running mate in his first presidential election campaign in 2015.

The Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) Party dominated the votes during the election leading to the victory of Magufuli which led to the swearing-in of Hassan as the country’s first-ever female vice president.

Although the last October poll according to opposition and independent observers, was marred by irregularities but the duo got re-elected.

Hassan who would sometimes represent Magufuli on trips abroad had disappeared from national television until her announcement of the demise of the President at age 61, on Wednesday, following a short illness.

Samia was born on January 27, 1960, in Zanzibar. She holds university qualifications from Tanzania, Britain, and the United States.

The mother of four has spoken publicly to encourage Tanzanian women and girls to pursue their dreams and she’s also among a very small circle of women to lead East African nations.

Tanzania would therefore join leagues of Africa countries like Burundi, which briefly had an acting female president in 1993, while both Mauritius and Ethiopia have had women appointed to the ceremonial role of president.

The post Tanzania’s VP, Samia To Become First Female Tanzanian President appeared first on Daily Dates Nigeria.

In the video below, Professor Tomori speaks on the COVID-19 vaccine and women.

The post FAQ: Is COVID-19 Vaccine Safe For Pregnant & Lactating Women? (Video) appeared first on Daily Dates Nigeria.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, in a statement said the President gave the commendation during an audience with Dr Eleanor Nwadinobi, President of the Medical Women’s International Association.

Congratulating Nigerian women on breaking new grounds in the medical field, President Buhari said he was delighted to receive Dr Nwadinobi, the first Nigerian elected as President of the Association in its 100 years of existence.

The President said: ‘‘I am also proud to see and hear about the great achievements of Dr Nwadinobi.

‘‘The story of her career and what she has been able to accomplish thus far is commendable and must be celebrated.

‘‘I take this opportunity to congratulate you, Dr Nwadinobi and all your colleagues on your successes as I pray for many more years of accomplishments.’’

The President recalled that on 8th of March 2020, the whole world celebrated International Women’s Day and reflected on the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women universally.

‘‘I will, therefore, ask Dr Nwadinobi and all members of the Medical Women’s International Association to continue to be role models for our younger sisters and daughters.

‘‘With the right encouragement, support and guidance, our womenfolk can equal the achievements of other women elsewhere,’’ he said.

In her remarks, Dr Nwadinobi thanked the President for receiving her along with her team members, noting that with her election, the Association has not only honoured Nigeria, “but also aligned with Your Excellency’s administration in stepping up to the Next Level.”

She said Nigeria now has “the strongest voice in the Medical Women’s International Association, and can also be a strategic and dependable partner in transforming women’s health indices.”

Dr Nwadinobi commended efforts being made by the government to protect Nigerians from the Covid-19, stressing: “Our prayer is that in the same way we set a good example in the handling of Ebola, that we will also overcome and contain the Coronavirus.”

President Buhari was decorated during the event as the Champion of Women in the country.

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