• Super Admin
• 06 Mar, 2026

As the world marks International Women's Day (IWD), conversations around gender equality once again take center stage across boardrooms, policy circles, and grassroots communities. For Tope Mark-Odigie, however, the conversation must go beyond words. A communication expert, business strategist, real estate coach, author, and speaker, Mark-Odigie has built a reputation as a passionate advocate for women's empowerment. She is also the founder of Reb360 Limited, a company committed to helping individuals invest in real estate with confidence while equipping people, particularly women, with the knowledge and tools to build sustainable wealth. For Mark-Odigie, gender equality is a conversation that must evolve into deliberate action. While discussions about fairness between men and women have persisted for decades, she believes progress will remain slow if the focus stays primarily on talking rather than taking decisive steps. "I don't believe gender equality will be solved simply by conversations over a long period of time," she says. "One of the realities we must confront is that sometimes the custodians of gender equality are women who themselves have been unconsciously shaped by patriarchal systems through their upbringing." According to her, this unconscious conditioning sometimes limits how boldly women advocate for themselves and for others. She believes that while dialogue remains important, women must shift their energy toward claiming their rightful space in society. "In my view, women should put about 10 percent into talking and 90 percent into claiming their space," she explains. "Equality will not be served à la carte. It will not simply be handed over. Women must demand it consistently and unapologetically until the system has no option but to make room for gender parity." Mark-Odigie is also quick to clarify what gender equality truly represents. She insists that the movement is often misunderstood. "Gender equality is not about women trying to become men, and it is not a threat to marriage or family," she notes. "It is simply about equal opportunity for both genders to thrive." For her, International Women's Day carries deep personal meaning. Beyond the celebrations and recognitions, she sees the day as a reminder of responsibility and continuity. The annual event reminds her that her work must consistently shine a positive light on women and create opportunities for them to grow. "When women collaborate and encourage one another, it propels growth and unity," she says. "When we invest in women, it opens doors for resilience, progess and innovation." The theme of this year's celebration, "Give to Gain," which focuses on rights, justice, and action for women and girls, resonates strongly with her philosophy. "It reminds me that I am not just operating as TMO with my personal opinions," she explains. "Everything I do must create more room and more possibilities for women." But beyond the celebration of achievements, the day also carries historical significance. For Mark-Odigie, it is a time to honor the struggles of women who paved the way for today's generation. "It is not only about celebrating women. It is about honoring the women who came before us, those who fought for us to have more airtime, more representation, more visibility, and more opportunities," she says. Their sacrifices, she believes, place a responsibility on today's women to push the boundaries even further and inspire the next generation. Despite the progress recorded in various sectors, Mark-Odigie believes women in Nigeria still face major barriers, especially in leadership and political participation. "In Nigeria, we are still very far from where we should be, particularly in politics," she says. However, she acknowledges that some sectors, particularly banking, have demonstrated that change is possible when deliberate policies are introduced. "We have seen encouraging examples where policies created more opportunities for women," she says. "That tells us something very important, policy matters." She argues that intentional policies are critical to achieving meaningful gender inclusion. According to her, organizations must adopt structured approaches to ensure representation rather than leaving such decisions to personal preferences. "For instance, if an organization hires five men, it should also make deliberate efforts to hire five women," she suggests. Without such frameworks, she warns, gender inclusion will continue to depend on convenience, which historically has favored men. Beyond fairness, Mark-Odigie notes that empowering women in leadership positions also makes economic sense. "Data consistently shows that organizations with women in leadership often experience stronger revenue growth and more sustainable results," she explains. "So not giving women leadership opportunities is actually a disservice to the country." When asked about the biggest challenge women face in business today, her answer is immediate: underestimation. According to her, women are often judged differently from their male counterparts, which can limit opportunities and gradually affect confidence. "When someone is repeatedly told, directly or indirectly, that something is impossible for them, it can affect their ability to fully express their potential when opportunities finally arise," she says. Breaking that cycle of underestimation, she believes, is one of the most important battles women must win. To overcome this challenge, she encourages women to embrace visibility and step boldly into spaces where their voices and achievements can inspire others. "Doing great work behind the scenes is powerful, but visibility matters," she says. "The more visible successful women become, the more younger women can see possibilities for themselves." She also advises women not to settle for comfort but to pursue bigger dreams and challenge themselves to take on ambitious projects, even when the journey initially feels intimidating. Ultimately, Mark-Odigie's message to young women beginning their careers is rooted in belief and resilience. "It is possible," she says. She encourages young women to dream boldly, work diligently, and remain focused on their goals. "Believe in yourself, be focused, maintain a positive mindset, and build resilience," she advises. "Learn from your mistakes and never look down on yourself." For Mark-Odigie, the path to success begins with one powerful gift women must give themselves, belief. "When you give yourself the gift of belief," she says, "you will gain the benefit of success." Source: https://independent.ng/iwd-mark-odigie-urges-women-to-move-from-conversation-to-action/