On April 24th every year, YWCAs world over celebrate the YWCA global movement. 2014 is not an exception as branches across 27 states of the federation come together to mark history, make plans and take actions to bring to reality the future women and girls want.

youngywca-womanWith the theme Bold and Transformative Leadership, YWCA of Nigeria joined the World YWCA Round the World Breakfast, a tradition that is a vital part of this day’s events since 2003. This serves to connect YWCAs around the world to raise awareness on YWCAs impact on the lives of women and girls as well as address issues and ways it will affect women and girls in the future, so as to take transformative actions that will ensure such effects remain positive.

Chief Mrs. Ayodele Akideinde, a long serving member of the YWCA and former Vice President of the YWCA of Nigeria who joined the celebration in Lagos, reiterated the need for training and provision of spaces for young women and girls to fully participate in addressing issues, as this will ensure a sustainable YWCA.

She identified elements such as, love and service, networking with other organizations at all levels and carrying out innovative programmes and initiatives as vital components of the shared identity of YWCAs.


“World membership is the next most important event aside the World Council”
says Mrs Elizabeth Tinubu – Chairperson, National Membership Committee. She called on members to celebrate their space and put forward bold and transformative strategies that will sustain YWCA as the foremost advocator for the elimination of all forms of gender inequality.

Sussie Metu, former General Secretary YWCA of Nigeria and one of the Speakers at the event, shared that everybody is a leader in her own respect and shouldn’t be too laid back doing little but rather, rise up to the fact that the two key qualities in the theme (i.e Bold and Transformative) cannot be achieved one in isolation of the other. Adding that, transformative ideas abound but if the boldness to execute them is lacking, then their existence is more or less inconsequential.

“Bold and Transformative leadership is about a kind of leadership that can yield positive results even when faced with oppositions that are negative and steer them into constructive ones whilst gaining support from such critics” Says Metu who also made a further call for all to stand up, reach out to our fellow sisters in Christ to join in the movement for recognition, awareness and betterment of women and girls who may have limited opportunities.

Oluwadamilola Fagade, a young woman at the event enthused “I’m honoured to join the World YWCA and other sister YWCA’s as we celebrate World Membership Day and continue to lead changes through bold and transformative leadership”.

The celebration was concluded with a photo shoot with some members in attendance with written words on why they think they are Bold and Transformative Leaders!