Broadcasting
The Pandemic Undid The Global Strides Made Towards Gender Equality
By Joanna Baidu, Youth Lead, PMI
Over the past decades, the movement to dismantle organised bias against women in workplaces, politics, academia, fast-tracking of economic opportunities and access to healthcare has been gaining ground. While society remains unequal, these gains were unequivocally meritorious and resulted from the tenacity of women driving it. However, in just over two years, Covid-19 undid the gains and exposed existing social inequalities.
Joanna Baidu
If not addressed, discrimination against women and girls will stay on as a side effect of the pandemic. The gender-skewed labour shortages in the workplace need to be ironed out on priority to create an even playing field for women who are in and will be entering the job market. This year’s theme for International Women’s Day “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow” is timely and rooted in human and not just women’s rights.
Project Management Institute (PMI) identified several megatrends such as civil, civic and equality movements, demographics shifts etc in their 2022 Global Megatrends report. The report paints as an ongoing concern the rising inequality intensified by the pandemic as a contributor to social unrest.
According to the Wits University School of Economics and Finance, while women accounted for less than half (47%) of those employed in February 2021, they accounted for two million, or two-thirds (67%), of the three million net job losses recorded between February and April of the same year.
Although women suffered 67% of job losses, men received two-thirds of Covid-19 grants (65%). As the economy started opening again in September 2021 women’s employment levels were still down 20%, while men were down 13%. The fact that, Covid-19 forced more women than men out of work speaks to both the real and perceived value of women in the workplace.
The reality remains that women have had to find a balance under extreme conditions that the pandemic has presented or needed to drop out of the workforce to focus on their caregiver duties which further diluted their contributions in the workplace or presents challenges they’ll face in re-entering the job market.
Despite studies showing the importance of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for business growth, women and ethnic minorities remain underrepresented and underpaid at all corporate levels.
As such from a project management perspective, it has never been more important to get women back to work as well as more women into work. As the Covid-19 pandemic subsides and companies once again actively seek employees, many women are, however, having trouble resuming or starting new careers.
With 25 million new project professionals needed by 2030, according to PMI’s 2021 Talent Gap report, current labour shortages will only intensify the challenges of delivering projects that are on time, on a budget that meets customer expectations.
Available statistics from PMI show that women only constitute an estimated 20% – 30% of the project management staff worldwide. For women to directly benefit, diversity must be at the heart of sustainability and a preamble to driving solutions and opportunities for women in the project management space.
Overall, the trends we have been witnessing and monitoring combine to present the sector opportunities to build a better, more inclusive, and efficient working environment.
Despite current setbacks, in the longer term, we expect the trend of female participation in the workforce to increase. Equality of access from a gender perspective can hopefully be understood on a more level playing field, one that acknowledges and correctly values and rewards the full contribution of women to economies, beyond the workplace. We also need to recognise the imperative to include more women in leadership so that we can guide more gender-diverse and accommodating cultures.
We believe a lot of the changes that have taken place recently, and observed in the 2022 Global Megatrends report, can be used to achieve greater gender equality.
Remote work, for example, provides flexibility and should over time see more women enter the workforce and stay. Remote work has also been a great leveler for people subject to bias in the workplace.
Many women of colour are reluctant to return to the office, according to a recent New York Times article. In the United States, remote work has also eased the stress of working in predominantly white workspaces and reduced exposure to microaggressions and discrimination.
As far as gender equality goes for a sustainable tomorrow, it will require buy-in from everyone including men.
Africa’s music scene is no longer just a regional sensation, it has become the pulse of global pop culture.
As African music continues to enchant global audiences, Spotify Wrapped 2024 unveils the diverse range of genres that people now enjoy all over the world. While Afrobeats and Amapiano often dominate headlines, this year’s Wrapped data sheds light on other emerging sounds that define Africa’s music.
Reimagined histories
Hiplife and Highlife from Ghana, rooted in the country’s rich cultural history, remain highly exported due to their fusion of traditional Highlife melodies with contemporary beats that keep them globally relevant.
Artists like King Paluta, Fameye, and KiDi are leading the way in blending traditional Highlife melodies with modern sounds. Fameye’s Very Soon and King Paluta’s Aseda—a heartfelt song of gratitude—are examples of how the genre is evolving. Their fresh take on Highlife has helped drive a 54% increase in global streams, a sign of the genre’s appeal to both local and international audiences.
In Kenya, Arbantone, mainly characterized by beats from samples of Kenyan old school hits. This sound combines elements of Gengetone and old Jamaican riddims, led by a wave of young rappers who bring the raw lyricism of Gengetone. Captivating young audiences, Arbantone is quickly rising on local music charts.
Arbantone grew significantly in 2024, partially thanks to viral dance challenges on social media. Artists like Dyana Cods’ “Set It”, harnessed the genre’s infectious beats and catchy lyrics to connect with her fans. The song became one of the most popular Arbantone tracks in Kenya, securing the number 3 most streamed Arbantone track in Kenya as revealed by the 2024 Spotify Wrapped data.
Embracing experimental sounds
Nigeria’s Alté is becoming more popular abroad where it’s now the country’s fourth-most exported genre in 2024. Pronounced “uhl-teh”, a shorthand for alternative, you may have heard the experimental mix of Afrobeats, R&B, and hip-hop, with electronic influences on tracks like Soh-Soh by Odeal or Amaarae’s Wanted. The likes of Amaarae, Lady Donli and Odunsi (The Engine) paved the way for a new generation of artists like DEELA, DETO BLACK and brazy to tap into Alté’s rebellious, bold and unconventional brand of self-expression. The global success of Alté-influenced musicians like Tems, Rema and Odeal symbolises how the genre is taking its place in mainstream music culture. Countries like Ghana have embraced the sound with over 60 billion Spotify streams, and Alté now has 41% more global plays than it did a year ago.
South Africa’s Afro House, known for its deep rhythms and soulful vocals, has become a favourite in electronic music circles around the world. DESIREE and DJ Shimza have been instrumental in influencing the growth of Afro House. DESIREE sets blend African rhythms with modern electronic sounds, while DJ Shimza’s electrifying global performances have propelled the genre to new heights. As more artists from around the world incorporate African sounds into their music, the genre has influenced global dance floors.
Household names
Afrobeats continues to lead Africa’s music revolution, evolving rapidly and driving the movement forward. In 2024, the genre saw a significant 28% increase in global streaming. Tracks like Santa by Ayra Starr, Rauw Alejandro, and Rvssian highlight the genre’s versatility, while Calm Down by Rema and Selena Gomez underscore its widespread international appeal. Collaborations like Skillibeng and Tyla’s Jump, Gunna showcase Afrobeats’ adaptability and its growing dominance on global charts.
Amapiano, meanwhile, has emerged as Africa’s fastest-growing genre, with a phenomenal 59% increase in global streaming in 2024.
Another sign that the future of global music will undoubtedly feature even more beats, grooves, and melodies from the continent.
Broadcasting
NERC Discloses $5.7 Million Debt Owed by International Customers for Q3 2024 Electricity Supply
Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has disclosed that international customers owe $5.7 million for electricity supplied in the third quarter (Q3) of 2024.
The debtors include Paras-SBEE and Transcorp-SBEE from the Benin Republic, Mainstream-NIGELEC from Niger, and Odukpani-CEET from Togo.
Under an international treaty, Nigeria exports electricity to neighbouring countries like Benin Republic, Togo, and Niger.
In its latest quarterly report, NERC stated that market operators (MO) issued invoices totaling $12.19 million to six international firms for services rendered in Q3, out of which $6.49 million was paid.
“In 2024/Q3, the six (6) international bilateral customers purchasing power from the grid-connected GenCos made a cumulative payment of $6.49 million against the $12.19 million invoice issued to them by the MO for services rendered in 2024/Q3,” the report said.
“Similarly, the domestic bilateral customers made a cumulative payment of ₦1,566.51 million against the ₦2,100.79 million invoice issued to them by the MO for services rendered in 2024/Q3.”
NERC highlighted that some bilateral customers—both domestic and international—made payments in Q3 2024 to settle outstanding invoices from previous quarters. “Odukpani-CEET made a payment of $1.33 million towards outstanding invoices from previous quarters,” the report revealed.
“Similarly, the MO received ₦31.51 million from the domestic bilateral customers (North-South/Star Pipe; ₦9.50 million and Trans-Amadi (OAU/FMPI); ₦22.01 million) towards outstanding invoices from previous quarters.”
However, NERC noted that its special customer, Ajaokuta Steel Co. Ltd, along with the host community, failed to make any payments towards the ₦1.26 billion (NBET) and ₦0.11 billion (MO) invoices received in Q3 2024.
“This continues a longstanding trend of non-payment by this customer, and the Commission has communicated the need for intervention on this issue to the relevant FGN authorities,” the commission said, warning that continued non-payment could lead to total disconnection from the national grid.
In September, Shuaibu Audu, the Minister of Steel Development, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Messrs Tyazhpromexport (TPE) for the rehabilitation, completion, and operation of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant and the National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO).
By December, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Local Content, announced plans to commence the revitalisation of the Ajaokuta Steel Company plants in the first quarter (Q1) of 2025.
QNET, a global lifestyle and wellness-focused direct-selling company, has partnered with the Lagos Food Bank Initiative (LFBI), a non-profit organization dedicated to nutrition and hunger relief, to provide nutritious food and gifts to 1,000 vulnerable children in Makoko, Lagos.
This initiative is part of QNET’s end-of-year social impact activities.
Supported by QNET’s legal partner, Transblue Limited, the project is part of LFBI’s Education Enhancement Intervention for Food Insecure Students (EDUFOOD) program that addresses malnutrition and food insecurity among underserved students by providing healthy meals and essential educational resources.
A report by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) highlights that Nigeria has the second-highest burden of stunted children globally, with a national prevalence rate of 32% among children under five.
Furthermore, an estimated 2 million Nigerian children suffer from severe acute malnutrition (SAM).
Biram Fall, QNET’s Regional Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighted the importance of this initiative: “Guided by our principle – Raise Yourself To Help Mankind (RYTHM), we believe that education and good health for children are the cornerstones of a thriving society.
Partnering with LFBI allows us to make a tangible impact on vulnerable children’s lives, reflecting our mission to empower youths and improve communities.”
Akeem Ajisafe, Managing Director of Transblue Limited, shared his thoughts: “This collaboration not only addresses food insecurity but also brings joy to young hearts, allowing them to truly experience the spirit of Christmas. Together, we are fostering hope, joy, and a brighter future fo r all.”
Michael Sunbola, Executive Director of LFBI, expressed gratitude for the partnership:“QNET’s support empowers us to reach even more children during this season of celebration, improving their health and unlocking their potential. Together, we are building a foundation for a brighter future.”
The partnership underscores QNET’s commitment to sustainable development, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Zero Hunger (SDG 2) and Quality Education (SDG 4).
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