The third annual SpeakHER Conference is set to take place in Lagos on October 24, with a focus on empowering women and young professionals with essential skills for effective communication, negotiation, advocacy, and leadership. This year's event, themed "S.A.Y. — Speak. Amplify. You.", will be held at The Dome, This Present House, in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. The conference aims to address the challenges women face in expressing their ideas and advocating for themselves in various spaces.
The SpeakHER Conference will feature practical learning sessions, panel conversations, and networking opportunities, as well as the Speakathon, a platform that gives women and girls the chance to speak publicly on issues they consider important. The event is designed to equip participants with the skills and confidence needed to communicate effectively in professional, business, community, and public spaces. According to the organizers, the conference is targeted at professional women, entrepreneurs, advocates, emerging leaders, and young professionals interested in developing their communication, negotiation, and leadership skills.
The conference will include two major practical sessions: "Room Ready: The Negotiation Edge" and "The Signature Speaker." The negotiation session will focus on self-advocacy, persuasion, and negotiation, with an emphasis on helping participants navigate spaces where important decisions are made. The Signature Speaker session will focus on effective communication and public speaking, including how participants can communicate with greater clarity and confidence in various settings.
The Speakathon will be a major feature of the conference, with emerging speakers addressing issues across four areas: Leadership and Governance; Women's Health and Wellness; Advocacy; and AI and Digital Transformation. This platform will provide women and girls with the opportunity to speak publicly on issues that matter to them. The conference is expected to create opportunities for women to step forward, be heard, and translate their voices into meaningful action.
According to SpeakHER Co-founder Rolake Akinkugbe-Filani, the initiative was established to address the gap between having ideas and being able to communicate them effectively. She stated that women have ideas, ambition, and the capacity to lead, but often lack the confidence, skill, or opportunity to communicate those ideas when it matters most. The S.A.Y. theme is intended to encourage women to speak with confidence, amplify issues that matter to them, and participate actively in spaces where their voices can influence outcomes.
Co-founder Ayo Mairo-Ese emphasized that the conference will go beyond encouraging women to speak, by helping them develop the skills to use their voices effectively. She stated that speaking up is only the beginning, and that women need to recognize the value of their voices, develop the skills to use them effectively, and understand that their perspectives can shape the spaces they occupy. The conference aims to inspire change and shape narratives that promote women's empowerment.
The SpeakHER Conference is part of the organization's mission to create opportunities for women and girls to communicate, advocate, and participate in conversations affecting their workplaces, communities, and futures. With its focus on communication, negotiation, advocacy, and leadership, the conference is expected to equip women with the skills and confidence needed to make a meaningful impact in various spaces. The event is a significant step towards promoting women's empowerment and inspiring change.
Key points
- The conference will feature practical learning sessions, panel conversations, and networking opportunities.
- The Speakathon will provide a platform for women and girls to speak publicly on issues that matter to them.
- The conference aims to equip women with the skills and confidence needed to communicate effectively in professional, business, community, and public spaces.
