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Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsIGNITE Empowers Women Through Leadership Training

IGNITE Empowers Women Through Leadership Training

Women in Bulawayo who recently completed an impartation skills training course were awarded certificates of competence in leadership development at a glittering function.

A brainchild of IGNITE, a women-focused regional organization in Southern Africa committed to the strategic transformation of society through biblical principles, the skills training workshops imparted knowledge to various women on leadership roles in the society.

The event coincided with International Women’s Day which was running under the theme “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world,” meant to celebrate the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and highlights the gaps that remain.

Linda Chikerema, the founder of IGNITE, told 263chat it is important for women to establish their leadership skills before taking up leadership roles in society.

“The purpose of the event was to bring together the women who had participated in the three courses; Esther a preparatory course for young women, Deborah a leadership course and Anna a prayer and intercessory course to receive their certificates and commissioning into society,” Chikerema said.

The event was attended by women from various church groups in the SADC region.

“The event went very well with a good turnout from the women, but what was of the highlight was the unity among the women and the network that was emerged as a result of the course.

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“It must be highlighted that these were not women from one church but different churches in Bulawayo, Masvingo, Harare, Mutare, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia,” noted Chikerema

Founded in 2016, Ignite has several courses for women that include, a preparatory which helps women understand their role in society, leadership course that helps women understand how to balance between being a mother and being a leader among other courses.

Emirates

She added that by imparting skills to women, their purpose is to breed women with world-class leadership skills who will then be the frontrunner for any roles that may be availed to them.

“Imparting skills and knowledge is a way of emancipating people and that was the purpose of the course. These courses started during the lockdown with the idea of using the time effectively, and the results of the training surpass what we as Ignite had envisioned. As a result of our next courses; Lydia a business and wealth creation course and Jael a spiritual warfare course commence on the 15th of March,” she added.

Women’s full and effective participation and leadership in all areas of life drive progress for everyone. However,  women are still underrepresented in public life and decision-making, as revealed in the UN Secretary-General’s recent report.

Women are Heads of State or Government in 22 countries, and only 24.9 per cent of national parliamentarians are women. At the current rate of progress, gender equality among Heads of Government will take another 130 years.

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Women are also at the forefront of the battle against COVID-19, as front-line and health sector workers, as scientists, doctors and caregivers, yet they get paid 11 per cent less globally than their male counterparts.

An analysis of COVID-19 task teams from 87 countries found only 3.5 per cent of them had gender parity.

Asked on why the courses have a focus on women, Chikerema said: “Women are nurturers in society, they play a pivotal role in mothering all that is in society, at the same time being Christians, the bible has timely relevant wisdom that should be unpacked in an innovative and sequential manner and that is the core vision of Ignite to use biblical principles in transforming society.

“We believe leadership in the perspective of God is not about feminism but instead it’s about submission to God and to the man around us! As women, we need men and vice versa! Ignite desires to empower women to take up their role with the appropriate skills and knowledge for greater influence.”

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Multi-award winning journalist/photojournalist with keen interests in politics, youth, child rights, women and development issues. Follow Lovejoy On Twitter @L_JayMut

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