IWD2024 Statement
CCSI Renews Commitment to Gender Equity: Fostering Leadership in Women & Girls
Abuja, Nigeria – The Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI) marks International Women’s Day with a renewed pledge to inspire inclusion and empower women and girls to thrive in leadership roles.
Speaking to young girls at the All Saints Anglican School at an event to commemorate International Women’s Day, CCSI’s Executive Director, Babafunke Fagbemi emphasized the significance of this year’s theme “Inspire Inclusion,” while highlighting the crucial role of mentorship in nurturing the potential of girls and young women. She underscored mentorship as a cornerstone in building their capacities and empowering them to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
“Keep on learning throughout your life.” She encouraged the girls. “Whenever you can, try new things, push yourself, and see how far you can go.”
Speaking on the importance of celebrating with the students, she said “It is important for CCSI to identify with students because at CCSI, we put our strength and energy behind empowering youth, especially those who have an educational focus, inspiring and supporting them to become the change agents that they can be, because they are the leaders of today not even tomorrow. The key message for International Women’s Day is you have the power to be what you want to be, with no distractions.”
Echoing CCSI’s alignment with the theme to journalists, the Executive Director noted that, ” At CCSI we are dedicated to fostering a workplace where women feel valued, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential.
“CCSI initiatives actively support and provide concrete opportunities for women. This includes mentorship programs and leadership workshops focused on developing essential skills such as communication, negotiation, and strategic thinking. We also provide educational opportunities for young women to grow and thrive.”
Beyond skills development, CCSI champions Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI) principles across all levels of the organization. This commitment integrates DEAI into every aspect, from recruitment and hiring practices to leadership development, fostering a culture where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents.
“By fostering a culture of respect and inclusivity CCSI strives to address unconscious biases and promote a workplace environment built on mutual respect and understanding,” Fagbemi added.
On International Women’s Day, CCSI reaffirms its unwavering commitment to advancing gender equity and building a more inclusive workforce. The success stories of CCSI’s Leadership and Strategic Communication Workshops (LSCW) alumni exemplify this commitment. CCSI actively collaborates with other organizations to share best practices and amplify its impact on fostering gender equity through effective communication practices and behaviour change.
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About Us
The Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI) is a leading Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) organization with expertise in utilizing evidence from research to implement effective strategies that address barriers preventing designated audiences from adopting recommended behaviors.
Birthed by the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs (JHCCP), Baltimore, USA, and registered in 2001 as a Non-Governmental Organization with the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria, CCSI continues to work towards being the center of excellence in strategic communications in Africa.
Driven by values of integrity, passion, care, innovation, and excellence, CCSI focuses on the central role of strategic communication to impact behaviors, build brands, and provide technical leadership in health and social development.