I was invited by an organization, Ambassadors of Africa to speak on the above subject. This is a transcript of the online session and I'm posting it here for others who weren't present to read and get value.
If anyone here loves research as I do, you would have dug information about previous global pandemic outbreaks that changed the world order so as to have an idea of what to expect post COVID-19.
I'll start with Spanish flu, also known as the 1918 flu pandemic.
After this pandemic, several things changed. We had world World War 2 which birthed several international organisations, treaties such as the league of Nations which metamorphosed into the UN (United Nations) today and several others.
Not only that, post the pandemic opened up several calls for reforms, not just in policies but in every sector. Automobiles, politics, Equality, sciences and even medicine.
One of my favorite aspects is the call for women empowerment and equality, basically the birth of modern feminism. We had global figures such as Mother Theresa, Jackie Kennedy (the American first lady), Marilyn Monroe (the Hollywood star) and so on, showing the world that women are good investments and they should be invested in.
From a research done by one of the finest schools in the world, Harvard, it indicated that the post COVID-19 world will show a boom in several sectors especially these three and they are
1. Technology (STEM)
2. Agriculture
3. Medicine
Despite our technological advancements, the covid19 has shown we still have a long way to go in tackling emergencies. Agriculture indicates that we have to feed the world during and post COVID-19. While medicine is to be prepared for anything of such manner happening again
NOTE: The opportunities I will mention this evening are available to everyone, not just women but I'm just going to take it from a Woman's perspective.
Women now and in history have always been at the receiving end of everything, both good and bad.
How? During pandemics like this, Women are negatively impacted because in Nigeria for example, 70% of poor Nigerians are women (courtesy of a 2018 research by university of Lagos). And the pandemic has shown something, money is VERY useful.
So with that level of Inequality, post COVID-19 conversations will major on how to ensure women are not placed in this situation ever again and I'm sure feminists movements will ensure that.
Another perspective is that majority of the countries that are successfully handling the covid19 have female leaders. NZ, Vietnam, indicating that the focus will be on women.
Overtime, we have proven we can deliver and the world will probably have no chance but to say, "let's give them a chance"
So the opportunities available to women post COVID-19 are everything. In every sector lies opportunities.
Number 1.
The world will change. And women who brave all odds to stand in a male dominated field such as these will have their work cut out for them, but the reward will also be worth it. So for everyone with professional qualifications in sciences and you want to be able to add value globally in the next decade, it is time to get to work.
Number 2.
Agriculture will never die because hunger can kill and people must eat. They may not buy clothes or luxuries, they will buy food. Now, agriculture has gone global, this is no longer the era or cutlasses and hoes, we now have drones and aquaponics (soil less farming) and all.
But remember, one has to start somewhere.
Now, I'm a feminist and someone who believes in the possibility of equal opportunity for both Gender and there will be several opportunities, funding, grants and fellowships dedicated towards women.
To some, it will be a chance to bounce back, especially as recent statistics indicated that the rate of domestic violence against women during COVID-19 is alarming. Domestic Violence has really increased with about 200% + since the lockdown according to UNwomen.
But enough talks.
Now, we know the opportunities available. I'll now be talking about how to be prepared for it.
Number 1.
Know the sector that resonates with you and start researching and gaining knowledge about it. Yes, I get. Everything is techy but it's not everyone that will succeed with tech. Find your niche. That one that you at least think you can work with and start learning about the nitty gritty that they're made of. With enough knowledge, it will give you a edge from that green horn who knows nothing.
Number 2.
There's nothing like overnight success. Please, don't listen to those motivational speakers who keep talking about hustling everytime. If hustle alone is enough for success, bricklayers and Carpenters will be the wealthiest in society. Hustle and hustle wisely.
Number 3.
In that field that you've researched about and found that you love, look for people who are successful in it now. We're all in lockdown so nobody is going anywhere. Reach out to them, learn, tap into their brain. Build excellent relationship. It'll go a long way
Finally and most importantly.
I'm not enforcing this on anyone but it has worked for me countless times.
Pray. I'm a Christian and my Bible says the path of a righteous man is ordered by God.
No one can promptly say what will happen post COVID-19. We are all making deliberations based on statistics and precedents. Pray for guidance and you will find the journey easier both as a woman and as a man. Thank you too for the wonderful conversation and responses tonight.
Questions.
Question One:
With the great influence on this Pandemic in the world this period, though the Male leaders are doing their best likewise the female leader, Is there any relationship between gender equality in tackling Covid-19 and even Post Covid-19?
Answer
It's not magic that women leaders are doing well in handling the covid19. I believe it's a situation of preparation meets hardwork. Those female leaders have raised a precedent that will be vital in the fight for gender equality.
We all need to start from the grassroots... From that compound we stay and community at large in other to unlearn and learn new skills in other to be fit for Post Covid-19 and also educate, encourage, young lad, adult etc to keep learning and have the mindset to change the world so as to be relevant.
Question Two:
There are lots of women out there who aren't Technologically, Agriculturally or Medically inclined but are skilled in their area of endeavours. Let's take for instance Tailors, hairdressers and traders. How do they get to benefit from the post COVID-19 boom?
Answer:
This entails mastery. If your skills stand out, people will pay for service. That's why a Harley Davidson will always be more valuable than a Bajaj.
One way to easily break through into a new career path of interest is to join a community of young people in that career.
Being a part of a community is a great way to network, learn more, access opportunities and make new friends.
I hope someone learns from this online session.
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