The 10th Voice of Women Conference and Awards (VOW2026) is set to focus on women’s political participation, leadership and representation as women from across Nigeria gather for the anniversary edition of the conference.
The event, organised by the Voice of Women Empowerment Foundation (VOWEF) in partnership with Women Radio WFM 91.7, is scheduled to hold on Tuesday, October 6, at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The conference, themed “A Decade of Voices and Impact,” is expected to bring together policymakers, women leaders, entrepreneurs, students, civil society organisations, development partners, media professionals and grassroots women from the six geopolitical zones.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; business leader and philanthropist Apostle Folorunso Alakija; former First Lady of Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi; and Hansatu Adegbite are among those expected to attend.
A major session, titled “The Power of Women: Across Generations—Shaping What Comes Next,” will examine the participation of women at different stages of leadership and the role of experience, new perspectives and collective action in shaping future opportunities for women and girls.
The conference will also feature discussions on women’s participation in the 2027 elections, with five women contesting the elections expected to take part in the programme.
Organisers said the discussions would provide an opportunity to examine women’s representation in political leadership and decision-making.
The conference will also include an economic empowerment initiative under which Asha Microfinance Bank is expected to provide grants to 10 women.
Speaking ahead of the event, Convener of the Voice of Women Conference and Awards and Executive Director of VOWEF, Toun Okewale-Sonaiya said the 10th anniversary would provide an opportunity to reflect on the platform’s development while considering its future direction.
She said the conference would focus on creating opportunities for women to contribute to discussions affecting society.
Programmes Manager of VOWEF, Aisha Sanni, said the organisers were also seeking greater participation by young women and groups whose voices were often missing from national discussions.
She said the next phase of the initiative would focus on extending its reach to women at the grassroots and young women who would become future leaders and decision-makers.
The organisers said the conference would be broadcast on television, radio and digital platforms to enable wider participation beyond the venue.
The Voice of Women Conference and Awards was established 10 years ago as a platform for discussions on issues affecting women, leadership, empowerment and participation in society.
The 2026 edition marks the 10th anniversary of the initiative.
