Chioma Agwuegbo

11/03/2024

I’m glad to join a community of over 6000 women, the largest convened by UN Women UK as delegates to . The theme is apt: “Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective", and I look forward to contributing to the sessions I have signed up for.

As the deliberations begin today, I look forward to connecting with extraordinary initiatives, exciting conversations, and new opportunities to collaborate and create a world where women and girls can thrive.

14/11/2023

Since the MH 470 disappeared on the 8th of March 2014, every now and then, I'll think about how big our world is and how something so big could just... vanish.

Vanishing is one thing. WIlfully plunging an A320 with 150 people on board into the mountains is entirely different.

I think about the passengers' families and wonder how excruciating not knowing, on the one hand, and knowing, on the other, has been for them.

How a psychotic pilot deliberately crashed a passenger jet, and how the pilot medical certification system ensures it will happen again.

14/11/2023

I came across a question on LinkedIn that got me thinking: "What's the best way to train and mentor content managers and stakeholders?" So, I wanted to share some of my thoughts on this.

When it comes to mentorship and training, I believe it all starts with one key thing: listening. We need to understand what others have learned, what they're struggling with, and how our own skills and experiences can be valuable to them as content or stakeholder managers. So, if I were to train on this topic, a must-have question of mine would be, "What challenges are you currently facing in content creation or stakeholder management?" That's where we'd begin.

Sometimes, when we're in mentorship or training mode, we tend to approach it with a fixed mindset. We say, "This is how I've done things in the past, and these were the results I achieved." But this doesn't always leave room for adaptability. Circumstances change, technology evolves, and we need to be flexible. It's not about sticking to a set of slides; it's about evolving and adapting.

In my experience, the key to effective mentorship and training is always keeping our learners or mentees, our people, at the centre of it all. That's the strongest foundation we can build upon.

07/11/2023

One of the finer points for me from the four waves of feminism is that our struggles are not homogenous, and there is no single brand or expression of feminism. Please do not exchange the patriarchy for another form of slavery.

So this article about Korean women, the 4B movement, and their homegrown solutions to misogyny and the patriarchy (intimate-partner violence is at a staggering 41.5%) made me smile. I wonder what local solutions are available for the gendered challenges we face in Nigeria. Any thoughts?

https://buff.ly/44mCKBl

14/08/2023

Twitter (or X) has been buzzing as creators receive checks for impressions on their content, fulfilling Musk's vision of putting revenue into the hands of creators. This is a good thing, but it is a double-edged sword.

Engagement farming is already at alarming levels, with people pushing the limits on pranks in the name of content creation, but watch out for monster levels of controversial, obnoxious content going forward. I worry about the colouring that will happen outside the lines for impressions/money. And with the reduced content moderation teams, I shudder to think about how this will affect women, girls, and other vulnerable groups.

Why am I particularly bothered? In March, supported by Hivos and Digital Defenders Partnership, TechHerNG launched KURAM (www.kuramng.org) to respond to incidents of online gender-based violence. Since then, our hands have been full navigating a justice system that is renowned for its inefficiencies with violence that is palpable and visible. How much more on social media that folks consider as otherworldly? How much more when controversy might produce financial rewards?

11/08/2023

While I appreciate the increased awareness about mental health, boundaries and self-care, we must admit that sometimes we might neglect the people who are on the receiving end of the short end of the stick of our limitations. Sometimes we are so busy 'protecting our mental health' we ignore the consequences for others. I have been guilty of this in the past, and maybe that's why this resonated well.

This piece speaks to self-reflection and practising mutuality, which prompts you to weigh priorities on both sides before acting. Of course, this doesn't apply to violence, or harm, or any form of abuse.

Boundaries are important. But our relationships require a touch more compassion than some online blueprints offer.

14/07/2023

From Nicholas Alahverdian to Nicholas Rossi to Arthur Knight: The American in Scotland wanted (in several US states) for multiple counts of r**e and credit card fraud who says he's an Irish orphan who was given matching tattoes with the fugitive while he was unconsicous.

The man ruled to be fugitive Nicholas Rossi refused to get into a prison van to attend court.

13/06/2023

Home is (in addition to everything else) where the WIFI connects, Siri or Alexa recognise your voice, and you can print via WIFI or Bluetooth or an app on your phone from any room.

05/06/2023

Who would have thought that barely a month after this post, we would be holding space for and hosting meetings with Senegalese feminists because, unfortunately, women's bodies are the battlegrounds for politics and politicking.

There is a conversation to be had about growing repression in and the Executive's abuse of the justice process to exclude the opposition from elections. It is a shame that in 2023, we're still talking about internet shutdowns and restrictions of access to social media.

There is also a genuine conversation about the allegation of r**e, the requalification of that allegation to "corruption of youth", and the implications for other women and minority groups who have reported cases of s*xual assault to the police or who currently have issues in court.

Finally, there is the urgent protection needed for and women's rights defenders who are now being targeted for insisting that justice is necessary for the young women at the centre of the court case. Senegal must guarantee the safety of its women and girls.

I'm standing in solidarity with our Senegalese siblings and asking folks who can to pressure the Sall government to do the right thing and halt further bloodshed and violation of citizens.

22/05/2023

“Everyone is always and everywhere, more or less consciously, playing a role; it is in these roles that we know each other; it is in these roles that we know ourselves” - Sociologist Robert Ezra Park (1950)

25/04/2023

It's hard not to think of Nigeria whenever I see a story about Lebanon or hear of compounding difficulties from people who have been there. There's a scripture in the Bible that refers to poverty overtaking a person because of 'a little sleep and a little slumber' - I wonder if governments on the continent realise that multidimensional poverty doesn't happen overnight. It's the little inefficiencies, cutting corners here and there, a little theft here, minor misappropriation there, and you wake up one morning and the naira (Nigeria's currency) has lost 60% of its value. https://buff.ly/3Kzbjve

21/04/2023

I could relate to Chika Unigwe's documentation of her first days as an immigrant. It is a powerful and poignant reminder that change can be scary and that love is not always the cure. Unigwe's writing moved me and made me think deeply about the inner struggles of immigrants and the courage it takes to make such a huge transition. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this.

When I left Nigeria for Belgium, I made my husband’s home my own. But homesickness lodged like a stone inside

19/04/2023

Normally, I'd ignore really short pieces like this, but this one got me thinking: Why do I make certain choices? Am I thinking about the potential risks or the potential regrets?

I can recall a time when I chose not to attend a particular university for my first degree. I was honest with my dad and told him that I would likely break their rules and get into serious trouble. Looking back now, 17 years later, I'm confident that I made the right decision and I have no regrets.

However, there have been other choices I've made where the risks, rewards, and regrets all seem to balance out equally. After reading this article, it's reminded me why I'm not a fan of short pieces like this.

David Cassidy’s last words were, “So much wasted time.”.

18/04/2023

“I believe in a higher minimum wage,” he added. “But the people who this was impacting didn’t want it.” James Dill, Democrat Senator and college professor.

This five-year-old news story about workers protesting against a raise to meet minimum wages is a reminder that development must
1. Be people-oriented and meet the people where they are
2. Be wholesome - solving one part of the problem often compounds issues
3. Be subjected to debate and interrogation
4. Be agile and able to evolve where it doesn't work.
https://buff.ly/3GKvMw6

Sometimes we believe (innocently) that we know what people want and so we implement programs that in some instances compound their problems or solve one problem but introduce another. So there's activity without progress, we're just running round and round. Worth reflecting on.

Some cried with relief when their wages were lowered.

31/03/2023

I read this really fascinating piece about cotton fabric contributing to the exponential growth of slavery in France - The Marie Antoinette Dress That Ignited the Slave Trade.

Unlike her usual ornate style, it was relatively simple — but still scandalous.

17/03/2023

This was a difficult read, and I recognise that my opinion might be uncommon. But I believe that the investment in children and teenagers medically inhibiting their growth as one gender OR medically changing the gender they were assigned at birth is not healthy. Children are not allowed to drive or vote; they are legally not accountable for decisions like s*x or marriage so what is this preoccupation for reducing the barrier for irreversible life-changing medical procedures?

There are more than 100 pediatric gender clinics across the U.S. I worked at one. What’s happening to children is morally and medically appalling.

12/03/2023

Communication is so important - what's said but also how it is said. Great intentions with poor communication will yield disastrous results every time.

11/03/2023

There are so many things we will only understand in the afterlife. For instance, the whereabouts of Malaysia Airlines flight 370 that disappeared on the 8th of March 2014. The Boeing 777 had 239 people on board. This really long article attempts to piece it all together https://buff.ly/31qogkX
God rest the dead.

“Good night, Malaysian three seven zero.”

08/03/2023

So Adeyinka Grandson was formenting trouble, spewing racial hate and inciting violence against tribes in the midst of his family and immigration issues? Well, it looks like he's headed back to Nigeria after serving his 4 ½ year jail term.

Adeyinka Grandson, a self-styled Yoruba nation agitator, is currently serving a four-and-a-half-year jail term upon his conviction....

03/03/2023

I shared some thoughts on with Astha Rajvanshi of TIME Magazine. Ultimately, the elections that spawned this president were neither free nor fair. The strategy and structure were theft and violence and rotten pipes cannot produce sparkling water.

INEC will be remembered for being mealymouthed and dishonest through this process. No amount of whataboutism, ethnic slurring, or gaslighting will change the fact that Nigerians, not politicians, were short-changed.

https://time.com/6259326/nigeria-elections-2023-results-inec/

Nigerians were promised a transparent and technologically advanced election. Critics say that wasn't the case.

23/02/2023

I'm very glad to be back at work and what better way to resume than to join these greats to discuss women's representation in politics in Nigeria. I will share some thoughts on the role of technology in elections plus some of the opportunities technology provides for women advancement. Exciting times.

Congratulations to Dr Amina Salihu and Dr Abiola Akiyode for their excellent work on this policy brief. The report is available here: https://lnkd.in/eWW-jVDf

20/01/2023

One country:
Fuel scarcity
Police brutality
Kids out of school
Insecurity
Electricity
ASUU strikes
Violence against women and girls
Poverty
Unemployment
Mass migration
Division
Injustice

Nigeria deserves a break from wickedness. Nigerians deserve a break from wickedness.

03/11/2022

I'm thrilled to be back in Lisbon for ; it is my first time attending the Summit and there's so much to learn already!

I'm even more excited to join this Masterclass convened by Aurora Tech Award to speak about the work we do at TechHerNG, the challenges we navigate daily, and the impact that makes us stay and keep doing this work.

Say hello if you stop by our sessions today and tomorrow :)

23/07/2022

Saw a tweet earlier that said something like Nigerians were inherently bad people.

I disagree.

Laws matter. Structures matter. Institutions & consequences & rewards matter. All of these equally & commensurately applied will birth/turn around even the most terrible societies.

27/04/2022

TechHerNG's session at is ongoing! Join this all-important conversation with Gbenga Sesan, Nana M. Nwachukwu, and Aisha Salaudeen moderated by the excellent Amina Salaudeen.

There's a livestream here: https://youtube.com/watch?v=kzc1LL0bZ1k

06/04/2022

For a project, I'm editing experiences of SGBV women and girls have faced in parts of Nigeria into formats that will resonate in those parts and show clear pathways to justice.

Jesus Christ. You think you've seen/heard it all then you read what I've read.

25/03/2022

What is "AI constitutionalism"❓ In their latest report 📄 the & : Digital Right in Society propose that constitutionalism & a -based approach should guide the development of 👉 https://buff.ly/3No56D1

02/02/2022

Ford Foundation has commissioned research to better understand the work, nature and scope of young feminists organising in the West African region. This research will shed more light on how they are resourced and the challenges they face that are often under-reported in the media. If you are a young feminist organiser or know anyone in , or , please fill out or share the survey link with them.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RTWTFV9

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