Women across all walks of life on Wednesday demanded for a greater inclusion and investment in women as National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), Osun State Chapter held the 2026 biennial conference.
The NCWS also called for increased investment in women’s empowerment, stronger collaboration among stakeholders and greater participation of women in governance as essential pillars for sustainable development.
The Biennial Conference was held at the Osogbo Grammar School Mega Hall, Osogbo, with the theme, “Stronger Women, Stronger Community, Growing Together.”
Speaking at the event, Governor Ademola Adeleke said the administration had deliberately made inclusiveness a cardinal principle of governance by appointing women into strategic positions across the government.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Children Affairs, Mrs Temilade Olokungboye, Adeleke noted that women currently serve as commissioners, permanent secretaries, heads of agencies, advisers and in several other leadership positions where they contribute significantly to the state’s development.
He said the government had also expanded access to quality healthcare through the rehabilitation of primary healthcare centres and the strengthening of the Osun Health Insurance Scheme, while thousands of women had benefited from grants, business support programmes, skills acquisition initiatives and agricultural interventions.
With the August 15 governorship election approaching, Olokungboye urged women to participate actively in the democratic process.
“Your vote is your voice, your power and your contribution to the future of Osun State. Do not allow fear or intimidation to discourage you from exercising your constitutional right,” he said.
Representing the First Lady of Osun State, Chief Mrs Titilola Adeleke, the Director of Gender Affairs in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Social Welfare, Mrs Olufunmilola Adewale, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to promoting the welfare, protection and economic empowerment of women.
She said the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke had continued to invest in women, widows, young girls and other vulnerable groups through programmes designed to improve their living conditions and expand opportunities.
According to her, women remain indispensable partners in nation-building whose contributions continue to shape the social and economic development of society.
“The theme reminds us that when women are empowered, families flourish, communities become more resilient and society experiences sustainable development. It is our collective responsibility to create an enabling environment where every woman can thrive, free from discrimination, violence and all forms of inequality,” Adewumi said.
She commended NCWS for its sustained advocacy for gender equality and support for vulnerable women, urging participants to strengthen partnerships capable of translating ideas into tangible actions.
Adewale also encouraged women to remain united and continue supporting one another while balancing their professional aspirations with family responsibilities.
“Whatever we do should not diminish our responsibilities at home because charity begins at home. At the same time, women deserve greater opportunities to contribute meaningfully to governance and national development,” she added.
Earlier in her welcome address, the State President of NCWS, Dr Rebecca Adeola Ayoola, described the conference as a platform to develop practical solutions for advancing women’s rights and improving their economic, political, moral and social well-being.
Ayoola said empowering women through education, skills acquisition, leadership opportunities and access to resources would strengthen families, promote peaceful communities and accelerate development across Osun State.
She identified economic empowerment, political participation, moral leadership and social development as the four strategic pillars needed to achieve meaningful progress for women.
“Our influence extends far beyond our homes. When women rise, communities flourish. When women support one another, society becomes more inclusive, peaceful and prosperous,” she said.
She added, “This conference should not end as another event, but become the beginning of renewed commitment to empowering women, strengthening families, promoting ethical leadership, supporting one another and building communities where everyone can thrive.”
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Olusegun Durotolu of Bowen University, Iwo, described women as indispensable agents of transformation whose empowerment remains crucial to national development.
He said no society could attain sustainable growth without deliberate investment in women through quality education, leadership development, economic opportunities and equal participation in governance.
According to him, the conference theme reflects the reality that stronger women build stronger families, resilient communities and prosperous nations.
Durotolu urged governments, private organisations and development partners to dismantle barriers limiting women’s advancement and implement policies that guarantee equal opportunities in leadership and decision-making.
He also encouraged women to embrace leadership with confidence, integrity and competence while strengthening mentorship, networking and collaboration as tools for achieving gender equity and sustainable development.
The conference attracted government officials, politicians, members of the media, civil society organisations, market women, and representatives of women-focused groups from across the state.
Admonishing the women, a former Commissioner for Information in Ondo state, Mrs Bamidele Ademola Olateju urged them to take leadership roles and not allowed to be relegated to the background.
“Women must take leadership roles. We need to move from arranging chairs at political events to take leadership positions,” she said.