French Embassy, NGO Host Safe Space For Women

TechHer, a non-governmental organisation in collaboration with the Embassy of France, Nigeria marked the international women’s month, by providing a safe space for women to connect, and rest to fight again.
Contrary to the formal conferences held to mark international women’s day and month, every March, TechHER via its Breaking Bread, Breaking Barriers: A Brunch For Equality event, convened over 20 women, engaging them in a Sip n Paint to creatively express themselves; a Sharing Circle to rant about their experiences peculiar to women in the Nigerian society; a game of Musical Chairs, and a Raffle Draw with a little monetary reward for the winner.
Speaking on the choice for a relaxed brunch, executive director, TechHER, Chioma Agwuegbo noted that the event is apt for the women who are daily engaged in the fight against sexual and gender-based violence “to rest, so that they can fight tomorrow.”

She further said, “A lot of times for International Women’s Month people put up events where women talk about problems that already exist, and we thought instead of putting that kind of event on we wanted people to laugh, dance, meet people and make friends and network. Because we believe that networks and communities are where change lies.

“We are grateful to the French Embassy, for believing in this idea, and saying, even if it’s not the traditional idea, we will support it.

“We had in attendance, those who have been fighting for women’s rights since the past thirty decades, those who have been doing so for the past 20 to 15 years, and others present who are still figuring out if they are advocates of feminism or not, but simply wanted to have a good time. Rest for us is not a waste, rather it is crucial for us so that we can go back out fighting again.”

At the event, sexual reproductive health and rights consultant, Emitomolua Tobiloba Yemisire, described the brunch as different and innovative.