Focused on promoting gender equality, increasing female representation in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) careers and providing support and direction for professional women, Jane Egerton-Idehen, a Tech Executive, Author and Speaker has launched ‘Be Fearless, Campaign’ a national campaign focused on highlighting the hurdles that prevent women from fulfilling their potential, and providing a guide to younger women on the complexities of navigating career and life opportunities in their fields.
Jane Egerton-Idehen decried the gender gap that still undermines the economic security of most Nigerian women by limiting their ability to work and pursue a career and urged for gender equality focused on enabling higher growth, productivity and economic stability, not only for women, but their families and ultimately the country. She stressed that Nigerian women still have just three-fourths the legal rights and opportunities of men and called for activities that empower Nigerian women especially in technology.
Speaking at the online release of her new book “Be Fearless: Give yourself permission to be You”, Egerton-Idehen who is also the Country Manager Nigeria/Regional Sales Manager, West Africa for Avanti Communications emphasized the under-representation of women in corporate Nigeria and challenges young women to pursue their dreams. “There is a significant gender imbalance in corporate Nigeria, especially in the technology industry where ratio of women to men is as high as 1:5. We must now deliberately work towards a more balanced sector where everyone is enabled. The theme of the International Women’s Day Each for Equal reminds us that there is still more to be done towards improving gender equality and fostering a healthier, wealthier and more harmonious world. We hope to encourage more young girls and stimulate gender-equality discussions, via this campaign, my new book, endowments to girls and the experiences of many African women who are contributing to this campaign”, she said.
Egerton-Idehen also encourages the lovers of women; parents, siblings and husbands and colleagues to empathise and help them achieve their potential at home and in the workplace.
The campaign features a book tour to about 20 tertiary institutions in Nigeria, book reading sessions at some leading book stores, scholarships to female students in STEM courses and a formal launch of her new book. The campaign is also expected to encourage leading entrepreneurs and businesswomen in Nigeria to share their experiences building successful careers, challenges they encountered and learnings they hope to pass on to a younger generation of African women.
“Be Fearless: Give yourself permission to be You” chronicles the author’s remarkable experiences challenging gender roles and stereotypes, via her rise from the slums of Ajegunle in Lagos, Nigeria, to brokering million-dollar deals for global telecoms giants. Written with the young woman who dreams of being more in mind, Egerton-Idehen opens up about her less-privileged background, education, career journey, marriage and motherhood stories, exploring the cultural expectations, biases, and impossibilities that turn dreams of career success into wishful thinking and demystifies them. The book is available online March 17th on Amazon
Egerton-Idehen is the Country Manager, Nigeria, and Regional Sales Manager, West Africa at Avanti Communications Group plc. She is a Master’s degree holder from Warwick Business School, UK and an Executive Education from Harvard Business School and Yale School of Management. With over 15 years work experience in the telecommunications industry, her experience spans over numerous countries in cluding Nigeria , Ghana, and Liberia. She is a lover of knowledge and a leading member.
For more information about her book, please visit her website at www.janeegerton.com.
