Top 13 Olufunke Baruwa Quotes

Nigeria gender activist

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Olufunke Baruwa (Born November 9, 1976) Olufunke Baruwa is a Nigerian gender and development practitioner, feminist and public speaker with a focus on gender, public policy and governance. For more than two decades, she has been at the forefront of social policies and reforms in Nigeria working with government, civil society and international development partners.

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"We need to change the way we bring up women; otherwise Nigeria will not grow; when you educate a woman, you educate a nation".

You don’t sit in the comfort of your home and complain that governance is excluding women.So we are encouraging young women to participate in governance.

Sexual violence does not just happen, it is a learned behaviour, people repeat patterns when they find out that there is no deterrent for a particular behaviour.

Every party wants to put its best foot forward, and we are not sure that many are going to put women forward

People will say terrible things about you, especially in our part of the world where strong, intelligent women breaking the ranks and cracking the glass ceiling is considered against the norm. Your greatest critics will come from your inner circle – close friends, family, immediate bosses and even yourself.

Public service is very bureaucratic and routine. The chances of getting into the regular cycle is high. So, always re-invent yourself. Add something to the package of you that makes you a new improved product like marketers do... When it doesn't work, know when to move on and be open to other opportunities. Take a break if you must and break new grounds.

There is no greater threat to a woman’s agency than violence. As a leading donor supporting efforts to end gender-based violence, the Ford Foundation is further demonstrating its commitment to supporting action and advocacy to counter attitudes, narratives and behaviors that perpetuate sexual violence

Distinguish yourself, be indispensable. One of the dangers of the public service is that efficiency is difficult to measure and because of that, one can get easily drawn into the regular routine of ‘soldier go, soldier come; barrack remains’. Don’t fall for that.

Your love for your job will influence people and bring you big responsibilities beyond your wildest imagination... while the public service can open you to great opportunities, it can also offer other attractions that can make you compromise your values – it comes with the territory. There will be many opportunities for compromise, you must stay focused and look at the big picture.

The difference between a job and a calling is passion. A job will put food on the table, get you life’s luxuries, take you to places and all, but a job that’s a calling will give you fulfilment in addition and endless opportunities!

Success or leadership is not limited to a particular gender.

I believe African women are burdened by the weight of patriarchy, misinterpretation of religious tenets and a culture that has refused to grow beyond the Stone Age.

If you don’t stand for something, you’ll stand for nothing. While the public service can open you to great opportunities, it can also offer other attractions that can make you compromise your values – it comes with the territory. There will be many opportunities for compromise, you must stay focused and look at the big picture. Ask yourself some critical questions like: Is this why I am here? Why should I settle for less?”