Vivian Achuonye Urges African Women to Break Cultural Barriers, Calls for Greater Inclusion of African Women in Leadership, Policymaking
ABUJA - Vivian Richards Achuonye, an executive member of the Youth Enterprise Development and Innovation Society, has urged African women to transcend entrenched cultural barriers and assume more prominent roles in leadership and governance. She emphasised the imperative of inclusive decision-making, equitable representation, and greater female participation in shaping policies that influence the continent’s socio-economic and political development.
Vivian Richards Achuonye is a Nigerian real estate professional, business executive and entrepreneur who serves as Sales Director at Palton Morgan Holdings, a luxury real estate development firm in Nigeria, where she oversees property sales and investment engagements involving high-net-worth individuals and institutions.
Through her consulting brand, Achuonye Investment, she facilitates access to luxury residential properties and investment opportunities, while championing diaspora investment in Nigeria’s real estate, tourism and commercial sectors. Her involvement in initiatives such as Diaspora Returns: Business Beyond Borders reflects her commitment to mobilising diaspora capital to stimulate domestic investment and economic growth.
Achuonye made the call in Abuja at the ongoing Pan-African Peace, Leadership and Governance Summit 2026, held at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where continental stakeholders are examining pathways to sustainable peace, inclusive leadership and strategic partnerships for Africa’s future.
"She argued that Africa’s quest for progressive governance and equitable development would remain incomplete without the meaningful participation of women in leadership structures, stressing that deeply entrenched cultural practices should not become enduring impediments to women’s aspirations, institutional representation and contribution to public affairs.
According to her, the time has come for African women to move beyond sociocultural constraints and embrace leadership opportunities that enable them to influence policy direction, contribute to governance reforms and participate actively in shaping the continent’s political and socioeconomic trajectory.
“We want to see African women go beyond deep-rooted cultural barriers and advance in leadership and governance,” she said, advocating a more inclusive leadership framework in which women’s competencies, perspectives and contributions receive adequate recognition across public and private institutions.
The women’s empowerment and youth mentorship advocate also highlighted the importance of equipping women and young people with relevant competencies to navigate an increasingly technology-driven global economy. She noted that empowerment initiatives must extend beyond conventional advocacy to encompass practical capacity-building programmes capable of improving economic participation, enterprise development and self-reliance.
Achuonye disclosed that her organisation had recently engaged women and young people in training programmes focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and digital skills, an intervention aimed at expanding their technological proficiency and positioning them to take advantage of emerging opportunities in innovation, entrepreneurship and the digital economy.
"She maintained that digital competence has become an increasingly important instrument of economic inclusion, noting that access to technology training can broaden opportunities for women and young people while strengthening their capacity to compete in an evolving employment landscape. She also underscored the importance of mentorship in nurturing leadership potential, building confidence and preparing emerging leaders for greater responsibilities.
Her intervention resonates with the summit’s theme, “Advancing Peace, Inclusive Leadership & Strategic Partnerships for Africa’s Future,” which places inclusive governance, collaborative leadership and strategic engagement at the centre of conversations on Africa’s long-term stability and development.
The two-day summit, convened by Ambassador Dr Kingsley Onuche under the auspices of the Peace Ambassadors Advocacy Network (PAAN), features the Pan-African Peace Envoy Assembly, Pan-African Youth Peace Envoy Assembly, Girls & Women Speak Ambassadors and the Peace Diplomacy Simulation Programme. The platforms provide opportunities for stakeholders to explore peacebuilding, youth participation, women’s empowerment and diplomatic approaches to conflict prevention and resolution.
Achuonye’s position reinforces the broader imperative of translating the rhetoric of gender inclusion into tangible institutional opportunities, sustained mentorship and technology-driven empowerment. Her advocacy underscores the need for African societies to harness the leadership potential of women and young people as active contributors to governance, innovation and the continent’s sustainable prosperity.
