By Lebenam Gifty Amekuedi
Growing up, I’ve always believed in standing up for what is right and pushing the cause of the vulnerable—those who need support to thrive. Coming from a background in Development Cooperation, Project, and Human Resource Management, I’ve always worked in spaces where gender equality is acknowledged. Proposals and policies often include gender clauses; program designs mention “inclusivity” or “balanced participation.”
But until recently, I had never stopped to consciously examine how deeply embedded feminist analysis is—or isn’t—in the actual work we do.
Attending this conference was nothing short of an awakening.
It was the first time I found myself in a room where almost everyone was not only aware of feminist issues but fully grounded in what they stand for, what they’re fighting for, and why it matters. There was a sense of clarity, of agency. I witnessed a form of activism that goes beyond token representation—one that interrogates systems, pushes back against erasure, and demands transformation.
In mainstream development spaces—and the corporate world in general—we often take for granted the very activism that made the inclusion of gender clauses possible. We believe in the cause, yes—but for many of us, it lives in the subconscious because we’ve not trained ourselves to center it. We tick the boxes, but we may not always hold ourselves accountable because feminism is not at the core of our consciousness.
This conference changed that for me.
What struck me most—what I call the icing on the cake—was the confidence, brilliance, and clarity of purpose I saw in the young feminists. These young women are not just involved—they are leading. And they're doing so in ways that reject the tired stereotype of feminism as angry, disrespectful or divisive. From Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), mental health, and domestic violence, to climate justice, digital activism, leadership, and economic empowerment—these young feminists knew exactly what they were talking about.
Their poise, their articulation, their command of issues—it’s impossible not to be moved. Impossible not to re-examine one’s own commitment.
So here is my appeal to all—especially to every woman in every space—whether in development cooperation, banking and finance, tech, agriculture, education, engineering, or public service: put on the feminist lens. Apply it to every policy, decision, program, structure, or system you’re part of. Even when a formal framework doesn’t ask for it, let your individual consciousness demand it. Ask the questions. Make the suggestions. Push the boundaries.
That is how we make sure no one is left behind. That is how we ensure feminism is not just a movement for some, but a commitment by all of us.
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