A world recognized leadership and entrepreneurship icon, and UN peace ambassador has called for intentional investment in women for sustainable development in Africa.
Ambassador Smily Mukta Ghoshal, an Indian-American based in the US with extensive experience on Africa, made the call in a media chat with Port Harcourt Mundial
She pointed out that the systemic exclusion of women from decision making in the continent, has contributed to poor development.
According to her, empowering women should not be seen as a favour but an investment in sustainable development which uplift communities.
Said noted, that, “Women in Africa continue to face gender discrimination, limited access to finance, cultural barriers, inadequate mentorship, and underrepresentation in decision-making”.
As part effort to address this, the multiple award winning leadership and mentorship icon stressed the need to invest in women to change the current poverty narrative.
“Through my leadership and work with the Center for Corporate Innovation, Information and Diplomacy, CCIID, I advocate inclusive leadership, women’s empowerment, education, mentorship, entrepreneurship and equal opportunities.
“I believe that empowering women is not a favour to society, it is an investment in sustainable development. When women are given the opportunity to lead, communities become stronger and nations progress”.
According to her, the way out of the current heavily unequal leadership scale, for a country like Nigeria, where less than seven percent of the women are leadership, is to improve on the economic status of women to lift them from a state of dependence to economic independence.
“The most sustainable approach is to move women from dependency to economic independence through practical skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, and access to affordable finance, business mentorship, and market opportunities”.
The development expert and global peace ambassador charged African governments, non-governmental organizations and the private sector, to lead this change process.
“Governments, NGOs and the private sector, should invest in women-led businesses, vocational education, digital literacy, and cooperative enterprises”.
Dr. Smily further stated, Empowerment must go beyond giving women financial assistance; it must equip them with knowledge, resources and confidence to create wealth, sustain livelihood and employ others”.
For younger women coming up the leadership ladder, Dr. Smily recommended continued knowledge update, preparedness and networking to be able to embrace opportunities.
“Young women must understand that leadership begins with self-awareness, integrity, competence, courage and service, not titles or positions”.
The coach and mentor emphasized that leadership is about service and solving problems, adding that the women should not accept societal limitations in the pursuit of their careers.
“They should invest in education, develop their skills, build meaningful networks, embrace mentorship and never allow societal limitations to define their potentials.
She warned, “They must also understand that leadership is not about competing with others, but creating opportunities, solving problems and inspiring positive change.”
Concluding, Dr. Smily charged: “My advice is simple: prepare yourself before the opportunity comes, lead with character when it arrives, and use your influence to empower others”.
Known across international platforms as an Inspiration Ambassador, Global Icon, Green Queen, Sustainability Advocate, World Record Holder, and Founder of #1Natural Beauty USA, Dr. Smily Mukta has spent years transforming purpose into impact.
With more than 2000 national and international recognitions to her name, numerous leadership honours, global speaking engagements, and an ever-growing influence that spans continents, she stands as a symbol of resilience, empowerment, and conscious leadership.
A celebrated International Motivational Speaker, TEDx Speaker, Transformational Coach, Certified Mentor, Corporate Trainer, Personality Development Expert, Pageantry Coach, and Leadership Educator, she has empowered thousands of individuals across different countries and cultures.
