Women of Rubies
Category

Career Gems

Category
In Career Gems By

FOUNDER, STAND TO END RAPE, OLUWASEUN AYODEJI OSOWOBI NAMED AS COMMONWEALTH YOUNG PERSON OF THE YEAR 2019

Osowobi, who also Regional winner for Africa & Europe for Excellence in Development Work in SDG5: Gender Equality, also received a prize of £5,000, which she will use to expand her activities in Nigeria.

She was presented the award by Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland.

 

Embedded video

Commonwealth Youth

✔@ComSecYouth

Congratulations to @AyodejiOsowobi for being named the Young Person of the Year 2019!

Oluwaseun is from and is the founder of the @StandtoEndRape initiative.

575

284 people are talking about this
Twitter Ads info and privacy

Osowobi, a survivor of sexual violence, set up Stand to End Rape Initiative to provide support to women, men and young people who have experienced any form of gender-based abuse.

Ayodeji Osowobi and Patrica Scotland

Osowobi was selected from 16 finalists and four regional winners. More than 500 people from across the Commonwealth were nominated for the award.

She said:

This award reminds me that when young people don’t look away in the face of injustice, and say ‘no’ to cultural biases, we have the capacity to create change because we are magic.

Winning this award encourages me to keep working hard to build a safe community for women, girls and men in Nigeria and that my story is valid.

To my team and I, the award is a reminder that our work is seen, felt and should not stop now.

Our organisation provides medical, legal, mental health and psychosocial support, and empowerment services – depending on the requirement. In certain instances, we provide shelter access and financial support to survivors.

Having experienced sexual violence myself, I understand the cultural barrier of speaking up, and the lapses or lack of services available.

This award is a reaffirmation that elimination of sexual violence in Nigeria and other Commonwealth Countries is important and a core agenda of the Commonwealth Secretariat as we work towards achieving a ‘Connected Commonwealth’.

S.T.E.R Initiative

✔@StandtoEndRape

 · 

Our founder, @AyodejiOsowobi is Young Person of the Year 2019 and also Regional winner for Africa & Europe for Excellence in Development Work in :
She was presented with the award by @PScotlandCSG and will use the prize to expand our activities.

View image on TwitterView image on Twitter

S.T.E.R Initiative

✔@StandtoEndRape

Peep the glow and prideeeee 🇳🇬💪🏿.
Read more about her and the awards belowhttp://thecommonwealth.org/media/news/nigerian-woman-named-commonwealth-young-person-year-abuse-support-programme … pic.twitter.com/UgdjetJeyt

36

Twitter Ads info and privacy

Embedded video

18 people are talking about this

 

Credit: Bella Naija
by
Keep Reading
In Career Gems By

VETERAN RAPPER, MISSY ELLIOTT TO RECEIVE HONORARY DOCTORATE FROM BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC

Veteran American rapper, Missy Elliott, who will become the first female Hip Hop artist inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in June, is set to receive an honorary doctorate from the prestigious Berklee College of Music alongside pop royalty Justin Timberlake and conductor Alex Lacamoire.

The Berklee College Of Music made the announcement via Twitter.

According to the school’s website, Berklee President Roger H. Brown will present Elliott — a 5x-Grammy Award winner with nominations spanning three decades — Lacamoire and Timberlake with honorary Doctor of Music degrees at Berklee College of Music’s commencement ceremony on May 11 at Boston University’s 7,000-seat Agganis Arena.

This year’s honorary doctorate recipients are being recognized for their “achievements and influences in music and for their enduring global impact.”

Credit: LIB
by
Keep Reading
In Career Gems By

BEVERLY NAYA’S DOCUMENTARY, ‘SKIN’ TO OPEN iREP DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL

Skin’ the full feature documentary by Beverly Naya has been chosen as the opening film of the 2019 iREP documentary film festival.

Naya made the announcement on her official Instagram account few days ago and later confirmed it to Pulse in an interview.

“I mean this is an honour for us and a very big step for ‘Skin’. Our documentary was selected and has been chosen as the opening documentary film,” Naya told Pulse.

The documentary featured Eku Edewor, Diana Yekini, Phyno andBobrisky as some of the Nigerian celebrities that shared their views on colourism.

‘Skin’ is a documentary on colourism by Beverly Naya directed by Etim Effiong.

The documentary was revealed as one of the officially selected documentary films of this year’s iREP International Documentary Film Festival.

The annual international documentary film festival celebrates the best of documentary films in Africa and beyond.

For 2019, organisers noted that nothing will be different as the film festival kicks off on March 21, 2019, till March 24, 2019, at Freedom Park, Broad Street; and Nigerian Film Corporation, Ikoyi, Lagos.

1/1 Happy International Women’s Day from me and @NIVEA_ng ; the official sponsor of the Skin Documentary premiere! I am delighted to announce that the exclusive premiere of @SkinTheDocumentary is happening on 31st March, 2019. Beyond excited! More details coming soon…💙 #NiveaLovesSkin #SkinTheDocumentary #BeNayaLTD 

by
Keep Reading
In Career Gems By

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, FEMALE REFEREES WILL OFFICIATE AT THE 2019 UNDER-17 AFCON

CAF has decided to appoint female referees for this year’s Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations.

As you may know, the Under-17 AFCON is exclusively a men’s tournament. So, this decision is particularly groundbreaking, as it will be the first time female referees will handle men’s tournament at the continental level.

According to the CAF website, the appointed female referees are Jonesia Kabakama from Tanzania, Mary Njoroge from Kenya and Lidwine Rakotozafinoro from Madagascar. They will join 26 male officials to undergo a training course in Casablanca.

View image on TwitterView image on TwitterView image on Twitter

Total Women’s Africa Cup of Nations

✔@CAF_AWCON

For the first time, women referees will officiate at a men’s tournament, @Total U-17 AFCON Tanzania 2019.The trail blazers are Jonesia Kabakama 🇹🇿,
Mary Njoroge 🇰🇪 & Lidwine Rakotozafinoro🇲🇬.They will take part in a training course from 31 March to April in Morocco

261

130 people are talking about this
Twitter Ads info and privacy
Credit: konbini.com
by
Keep Reading
In Career Gems By

U.S. WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM SUES U.S SOCCER FEDERATION FOR GENDER DISCRIMINATION

The United States Women’s Soccer Team (WNT) has filed a gender discrimination lawsuit against the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), marking a monumental step in their long-running fight for equal pay and equal playing conditions. Arguably even more dramatic? The fact that the news comes just three months before the ladies kick off defending their Women’s World Cup title in June.

In the lawsuit filed in a federal court in Los Angeles, all 28 members accused the federation, their employer, and the head of all United States soccer, of years of “institutionalized gender discrimination,” according to the New York Times . The players, including big names like Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan, and Megan Rapinoe, are upholding that this such inequity can be seen not just in their paychecks, but also “nearly every aspect of [their] work conditions,” including but not limited to, where and how often they played, the medical treatment and coaching received, and traveling conditions.

And so, it seems pretty understandable that they’re not holding anything back-going as far as to remind the USSF that they have openly admitted to “purposeful gender discrimination” even in the instances where the WNT earned more, played more, won more, and earned more championships-all of which garnered higher TV audiences-compared to the Men’s National Team (MNT).

USWNTPA’s statement on the Lloyd Morgan et. al v. USSF filingpic.twitter.com/wt7l8IYAAG – USWNTPA (@USWNTPlayers) March 8, 2019

If you’ve been keeping up with these players’ path to justice, then this might sound familiar. That’s because the recent lawsuit claims mirror similar accusations made in a 2016 Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint filed by five players: Lloyd, Morgan, Rapinoe, Beck Sauerbrunn, and former player Hope Solo. Three years later, there was still no resolution or “noticeable action,” per the NYT , so it doesn’t come as a surprise that the ladies took the next step and even more action: suing.

The WNT has won three of seven all-time Women’s World Cup titles, including the last one in 2015, and the U.S. has won gold four times in the six Olympic Games where soccer has been played. The MNT? They took third place in the first World Cup back in 1930 and didn’t qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

 

Credit: Pulse

by
Keep Reading
In Career Gems By

DJ CUPPY BECOMES ‘MAYBELLINE IT GIRL’ FOR NIGERIA & GHANA

An international DJ, Musician, and Philanthropist with a rapidly increasing fan base, Cuppy is well known around the continent and recognized for her skills on the turntable, her philanthropic work, and warm personality.

“As a young African female, it is an honour for me to be able to represent and join the Maybelline New York family! As a teenager, Maybelline was my first ever makeup purchase,” said Cuppy. “It is exciting to be a voice for not only myself but for every other young girl who wants to feel appreciated and valued in their various communities. We are strong, beautiful and capable of exceeding expectations and that to me is what Maybelline stands for. I could not be prouder to represent them and make it happen.”

Cuppy joins an impressive lineup of international ‘IT GIRLS’ who have helped shape the identity of the iconic Maybelline New York brand. “Cuppy embodies the determination, passion, and dream of making it happen in New York City,” said Sekou Coulibaly, Managing Director, L’Oréal West Africa.

 

Credit: Bella Naija

by
Keep Reading
In Career Gems By

OBY EZEKWESILI, UCHE PEDRO, CASTER SEMENYA, OTHERS, HONOURED AT FORBES WOMAN AFRICA AWARDS

The event was held at Durban’s Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre on Friday, 8 March.

The awards’ dinner followed a full day of panel discussions and talks by New Wealth Creators from across Africa at the fourth annual Forbes Woman Africa Leading Women Summit (#LWS2019KZN), hosted by the KZN Provincial Government in association with ABSA, the IDC, Women of Africa and supported by Delta Airlines.

See details from the event here.

See the full list of winners below:

Forbes Woman Africa Gen Y Award – Rachel Sibande

Forbes Woman Africa Sports Award – Caster Semenya

Forbes Woman Africa Entertainer Award – Sho Madjozi

Forbes Woman Africa Technology and Innovation Award – Arlene Mulder

Forbes Woman Africa Sustainable Citizen Award – Judith Kepher-Gona

Forbes Woman Africa Social Influencer Award – Oby Ezekwesili

Forbes Woman Africa New Media Award – Uche Pedro

Forbes Woman Africa Male Gender Advocate Award – Bonang Mohale

Forbes Woman Africa Businesswoman of the Year Award – Dr Divine Simbi-Ndhlukula

Forbes Woman Africa Public Sector Award – Nosipho Mkhupheka

Forbes Woman Africa Lifetime Achievement Award – Wendy Luhabe

 

 

Credit: Bella Naija

by
Keep Reading
In Career Gems By

MEGHAN MARKLE BECOMES VICE-PRESIDENT, QUEEN’S COMMONWEALTH TRUST

With her husband, Prince Harry as the President and their new baby on the way, the Duchess will highlight the Trust’s partnerships with young people across the Commonwealth, most especially its work supporting women and girls in her new prestigious role.

Meghan joined a special panel discussion of female thought-leaders and activists convened by The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust to mark the appointment and celebrate International Women’s Day. They also discussed various issues affecting women today.

Kensington Palace

✔@KensingtonRoyal

On The Duchess of Sussex has become Vice-President of The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust.

The @QueensComTrust, of which The Queen is Patron and The Duke of Sussex is President, exists to champion, fund and connect young leaders around the world

Queen’s CW Trust@queenscomtrust

We are delighted to announce that as of today The Duchess of Sussex will take on the role of Vice-President for The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust.
Please join us is welcoming Her Royal Highness to #TeamQCT@KensingtonRoyal

View image on Twitter

6,442

Twitter Ads info and privacy
1,229 people are talking about this

Kensington Palace added:

“THE QUEEN’S COMMONWEALTH TRUST, WHICH THE QUEEN IS PATRON AND THE DUKE OF SUSSEX IS PRESIDENT, EXISTS TO CHAMPION, FUND AND CONNECT YOUNG LEADERS AROUND THE WORLD.”

Members Of The Royal Family Attend Events To Mark The Centenary Of The RAF

Nicola Brentnall, chief executive, said:

“WE ARE PARTICULARLY DELIGHTED THAT THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY OF FORMALLY WORKING TOGETHER WITH HER ROYAL HIGHNESS COMES ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY. THIS SQUARES PERFECTLY WITH OUR FOCUS ON AMPLIFYING THE WORK AND CONTRIBUTION OF THOSE FURTHEST AWAY FROM POWER. WOMEN ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH AND THE GLOBE OFTEN FACE THE BIGGEST IMPEDIMENTS TO SUCCESS. SO WE ARE DELIGHTED TO HAVE OUR VICE-PRESIDENT’S SUPPORT IN HELPING OTHERS TO OVERCOME THOSE OBSTACLES.”

At the Women’s Day panel, Meghan Markle was joined by model and founder of Gurls Talk Adwoa Aboah, Chair of Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at King’s College London Julia Guillard, Chrisann Jarrett, founder of Let Us Learn, and Angeline Murimirwa, Executive Director Campaign for Female Education.

At the panel, Meghan Markle mentioned that she’d love for her baby to be a feminist.

The Duchess said:

“I’D SEEN THIS DOCUMENTARY ON NETFLIX ABOUT FEMINISM AND ONE OF THE THINGS THEY SAID DURING PREGNANCY WAS ‘I FEEL THE EMBRYONIC KICKING OF FEMINISM’ I LOVE THAT. SO BOY OR GIRL OR WHATEVER IT IS, WE HOPE THAT THAT’S THE CASE WITH OUR LITTLE BUMP.”

This is not be the first time Meghan Markle will be involved in issues concerning women globally. She has been on this mission since 2014, and has also worked for the United Nations’ Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women.

Watch the highlight of the Women’s Day panel:

by
Keep Reading
In Career Gems By

HELEN PAUL BAGS DOCTORATE DEGREE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS

Nigerian comedian and actress, Helen Paul bagged a Doctorate degree on International Women’s Day, she was conferred with a doctorate degree by the Senate of the University of Lagos.

She took to her social media space to share the good news.

She wrote:

“Joy in my heart.
Thank you God Almighty
The Senate of University of Lagos confirmed the award of Ph.D in Theatre Arts to moi!!!!!! What a joy coming on International Women’s Day 08/03/2019. Officially Dr Helen Paul�������
HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY!!!”

 

 

 

by
Keep Reading
In Career Gems By

THREE NIGERIAN AUTHORS NOMINATED FOR THE 2019 WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR FICTION

The longlist for the 2019 Women’s Prize for Fiction has been  released and three acclaimed Nigerian authors — Oyinkan Braithwaite, Akwaeke Emezi and Diana Evans — made the cut.

The prestigious prize, formerly the Orange Prize for Fiction, has honoured many great authors since it was launched in 1996, including Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who won in 2007 for Half of a Yellow Sun. It is a significant career boost and it comes with a £30,000 ($40,000) prize.

Akwaeke Emezi, Diana Evans and Oyinkan Braithwaite

Oyinkan Braithwaite for My Sister, The Serial Killer

Hilarious and deliciously twisted,  My Sister, The Serial Killer tells the story of the complex relationship between a murderous yet glamorous Lagosian fashion designer and her responsible older sister, who’s always ready with bleach and rubber gloves to help cover up a crime.

(Photo: Nantygreens)

Akwaeke Emezi for Freshwater

Emezi’s Freshwater explores the multiple voices of an Igbo god living within a young woman. They also used Igbo cosmology to reveal their experience as a trans African. Their inclusion in the list means it is the first time a non-binary trans author has been included in the Women’s Prize for Fiction.

(Photo: She Reads With Cats)

Diana Evans for Ordinary People

Evans’ Ordinary People cleverly exposes the melancholy of suburban middle-class black people using celebrity events. The book opens at a party thrown in honor of Barack Obama’s presidential victory, in 2008, and closes in the aftermath of Michael Jackson’s overdose and death.

(Photo: A Novel Idea)

by
Keep Reading

©2025. WomenofRubies. All Rights Reserved.