Former First Lady of Ekiti State, Mrs Bisi Fayemi, has challenged traditional expectations that working women should interrupt their professional activities to perform domestic duties, urging society to promote shared responsibilities and respect women’s personal and career development.
Fayemi spoke on Tuesday, October 6, in Lagos at the 10th Voice of Women Conference and Awards (VOW2026), organised by Women FM and the Voice of Women Empowerment Foundation under the theme “A Decade of Voices and Impact.”
Fayemi criticised the “one-hour woman” expectation, which followed a viral social media post advising working women to use their lunch breaks to return home and prepare meals for their husbands. She argued that women should be free to use their breaks for rest, networking, mentoring and personal development. She also called for boys to be raised to become responsible partners who understand mutual respect and shared responsibilities.
Keynote speaker, Mrs Folorunso Alakija, urged women to move beyond raising concerns to developing practical solutions and creating lasting social impact. Ogun State Deputy Governor, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele, commended the organisers for a decade of advocacy but noted that gaps remained in women’s access to economic opportunities, healthcare, education, leadership and governance.
Meanwhile, House of Representatives member for Kosofe Federal Constituency, Mrs Kafilat Ogbara, called for the passage of the proposed reserved-seat bill for women in the National Assembly to increase female political representation. Dr Amina Salihu, Deputy Director of the MacArthur Foundation Africa Office, encouraged women to build supportive relationships and alliances.
The conference also recognised individuals for their contributions to women’s empowerment, health and advocacy, including Dr Stella Okoli, Bank of Industry Managing Director Dr Olasupo Olusi, Ogbara and Lagos State Internal Revenue Service Chairman Ayodele Zubair.
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