The managing director of Coleman Wires and Cables Industries Limited, George Onafowokan, revealed that the company has achieved a significant 30 percent female representation in its workforce in boosting gender equality, particularly within its factories.
In a recent interview, Onafowokan emphasised that Coleman’s longstanding commitment to gender balance and equality has been a cornerstone of its operational philosophy for over two decades.
“Our objective has always been to ensure gender balance within our workforce. The manufacturing sector often assumes that machine operators must be men, but we have demonstrated that women can perform these roles exceptionally well,” Onafowokan stated.
He further explained that the design of Coleman’s factories plays a crucial role in enabling this gender balance.
With more technology-driven and automated processes, the factory is less labour-intensive.
“78 percent of our machines are not heavy-duty, and for tasks requiring heavy lifting, we have equipment to manage that. This creates an environment where women can work alongside men efficiently,” he added.
Onafowokan highlighted that “Coleman’s approach to gender balance goes beyond just acquiring machines. The company carefully considers how these machines can be operated effectively by both men and women. Gender balance has been an integral part of Coleman’s business model since its inception over 20 years ago.
“Our strategy is intentional and has proven successful. Women are naturally skilled at multitasking, and in areas where precision and adherence to guidelines are critical, they often excel more than men. This has resulted in greater efficiency within our operations.”
He pointed out that while gender equality is commonly discussed in office settings, Coleman has extended this principle to its factory floor, where a significant portion of the workforce is female.
According to Onafowokan, this approach sets Coleman apart in the manufacturing industry. When we started the factory, only one percent of our workforce was female due to the labour-intensive nature of the machines. Today, we have created a conducive environment for both men and women, and our commitment to gender balance remains steadfast.”
The director general of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Segun Ajayi-Kadir, expressed satisfaction with Coleman’s achievement of 30 percent female representation.
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