The Beyond Beijing 30 Summit, presented by Sanicle and co-hosted by UNA-Nigeria, UNESCO Center of Peace, IBTK Foundation, Femtech Weekend, The Real Studios, Columbia University’s SIPA Pan-African Network (SPAN), AfricaTech NYC, and Luz Maria Foundation, convened a distinguished group of global leaders, policymakers, and changemakers at Columbia University SIPA to mark the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

[L: Dr Omopeju Afanu, Hawa Taylor Kamara Diallo, Mary Apollo, Rosemond Yeboah, Luz Maria Utrera, Ishmael Byne Taylor-Kamara, Jr. and Chaste Inegbedion (R)]

The summit focused on advancing gender equity, health innovation, and economic empowerment for women, culminating in the NOVA Awards, which recognize trailblazers whose contributions continue to shape the future of gender equality.

The event brought together esteemed guests, including Hon. Dr. Isata Mahoi, Minister of Gender & Children’s Affairs of Sierra Leone, and Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs of Nigeria, alongside keynote speeches from distinguished leaders such as Lady Tee Thompson. Attendees, recipients, and delegates embraced a touch of elegance, dressed in green and gold—colors symbolizing renewal, prosperity, and strength.

[Chaste Inegbedion, Chief Period Officer Sanicle.cloud Presenting the Nova Award to Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim (Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs) with the Secretary General of UNA-Nigeria, Dr Omopeju Afanu]

Paul Olugbenga, Founder of The Real Studios, who led the branding of the event, reflected on the symbolism: "The NOVA Prize aesthetics symbolize renewal, prosperity, and strength—just like the honorees we celebrate."

[Chaste Inegbedion, Chief Period Officer Sanicle.cloud Presenting the Nova Award to Hon. Dr. Isata Mahoi Minister of Gender & Children’s Affairs of Sierra Leone]

The event was hosted by Assoc. Prof. Cynthia Obiorah and Ekanem Adeleke, who guided a powerful dialogue on policy implementation, innovation in women’s health, and cross-sector collaboration.

In his welcome address, Guy Djoken, Executive Director of UNESCO Center for Peace, emphasized the urgency of activism and policy reform to advance women’s empowerment.

[Guy Djoken, Executive Director of UNESCO Center for Peace with Nova Recipient Dr. Padmini Murthy, Global Health Director at New York Medical College School of Health Sciences and Tolulope Lewis-Tamoka, Chief of Governmental Relations & Africa, UN Global Compact]

"True progress requires collective action and shared responsibility," Djoken stated, highlighting barriers to education, technology access, and financial empowerment, particularly in Africa.

Hon. Minister Dr. Isata Mahoi of Sierra Leone, in her keynote, outlined her country’s strategic efforts to empower women and girls. These initiatives include allocating 22% of the national budget to education, introducing STEM programs for girls with scholarships, and launching vocational training and microfinance schemes. “Creating opportunities for girls to dream, learn, and lead is not just a policy priority—it is a moral imperative,” Mahoi said.

[L- Zhu Yihan of Femtech Weekend,Cecile Delcuvellerie of Yale Inclusion Economics, Chaste Inegbedion of Sanicle, Councilwoman Roxy Ndebumadu OF roxHealth, Rashmi Joshi of Asha AI (R)]

Honoring Changemakers and Advancing Women’s Leadership

The NOVA Awards, sponsored by Sanicle.Cloud and IBTK Foundation, honored leaders who are not only making an impact today but are committed to sustaining transformative change beyond 2025.

"We celebrate these recipients not just for their past achievements but for their ongoing commitment to women's empowerment. They have demonstrated a dedication to turning projects into tangible products and services that uplift women. Collectively, they have pledged to continue their impactful work throughout 2025, supporting women in their respective fields and driving meaningful change," said Hawa Taylor Kamara Diallo, Retired UN Official and Founder of IBTK Foundation.

Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister for Women Affairs of Nigeria, shared how receiving the NOVA Award at CSW69, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, represents both a celebration and a challenge:

"This award is not just for me; it is for the countless women and girls across Nigeria who inspire us every day with their resilience and strength. While we acknowledge the progress made, we must also confront the stark realities: the heightened vulnerability of women and children during disasters, the struggles faced in urban slums. This recognition strengthens our resolve to address these challenges head-on. Our commitment to the Global Cities for CEDAW Coalition is unwavering, and we will work tirelessly to create inclusive urban governance and climate action strategies. This is a moment of celebration, yes, but also a moment of rededication to the work ahead, for Nigeria's women and for a more just society."

2025: A Defining Year for Gender Equality

As the world looks ahead, 2025 represents a crucial turning point:

• Five years remain to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with SDG 5 on gender equality at its core.
• 25 years since UN Resolution 1325 underscored the need for women’s inclusion in peacebuilding, recognizing that 600 million women and girls worldwide are not just victims but architects of peace.
• 30 years since the Beijing Declaration set forth a bold vision for gender equality—one that remains unfinished.

While the Beijing+30 Action Agenda builds on six key pillars—bridging the digital divide, eradicating poverty, ending violence, advancing leadership, securing peace, and prioritizing women in climate justice—the summit introduced a seventh: engaging working women and male allies, recognizing their role in fostering truly inclusive workplaces and communities.

Key Insights and Outcomes from the Summit

The summit tackled some of the most pressing issues at the intersection of gender, innovation, and policy through three strategic initiatives:

• Femtech Hackathon: Organized by Femtech Weekend, this initiative gathered tech innovators working on digital solutions to bridge gender gaps in health and workplace equity.
• Panel Discussions: Experts from Sanicle, UNA-Nigeria, IBTK Foundation, and Vivacity PR led critical conversations on menstrual and menopause equity, financial inclusion, and healthcare innovation.
• NOVA Award Ceremony: Recognizing Nobel Working Women and HeForShe Heroes, men who champion gender equity and economic inclusion.

The UNA-Nigeria panel moderated by her secretary General Dr Omopeju Afanu focused on women’s economic empowerment. Key issues discussed included gender inequality, lack of access to finance, unequal pay, and the need for tailored financial products and literacy programs. Panelists emphasized the importance of equity over equality, integrating social protection with financial inclusion, and providing holistic support. Key takeaways included that women face barriers to financial inclusion and business scaling, and structural challenges hinder business efficiency.

Luz Maria Utrera said, "Nothing is impossible. To succeed as a woman against all odds, you need to believe in yourself and in the power of your dreams." Funmi Olotu stated, "As women, we should be prepared to shatter any ceiling or barriers that exist through our passion, diligence, and integrity."

The Sanicle.Cloud panel, moderated by Chaste Inegbedion, explored the impact of work-based absenteeism tied to menstrual and menopause issues. Panelists examined how AI and technology can break down systemic barriers that hinder women's economic participation. Key insights included the need for inclusive workplace policies and the role of AI in empowering women. Rashmi Joshi of Asha AI emphasized AI's role in lowering barriers to entry for innovators. Cecile Delcuvellerie of Yale Inclusion Economics highlighted the importance of addressing women’s health issues and workplace challenges, and Councilwoman Roxy Ndebumadu stressed that policymakers should focus on incentivizing founders and partnering with startups to solve societal problems.

The IBTK Foundation Panel moderated by her director, Cairo Eubank focused on forging strategic partnerships and collaborations to prepare the workforce for the future. Panelists emphasized fair play, mutual benefits, strategic youth investment, adaptability, continuous learning, and networking.

The Vivacity Panel moderated by Achalu David, the lead consultant at ProjectPro, explored how AI and Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) shape gender equity in the workplace.

Ebaide Omiunu, founder of the Ebaidebheki Initiative focused on sustainability and climate action, highlighted the progress in women's leadership in Africa over the past 30 years. She noted that since 1995, Africa has seen the appointment of four female ministers and prime ministers and three female presidents—a significant step toward greater representation.

“Empowering Women’s Health in the Workplace in the Digital Era” was the theme of the Femtech Hackathon, where Sanicle.cloud and Femtech Weekend brought together innovators across continents to develop solutions bridging the gender health gap.

Zhu Yihan, Founder of Femtech Weekend, underscored the need for inclusive digital health solutions, ensuring AI-powered innovations truly reflect women’s healthcare experiences rather than reinforcing existing biases.

Seneca Forch, Vice President of the SIPA Pan-African Network, reinforced the collective responsibility of global collaboration in advancing gender equality: "SPAN, as our organization is called, firmly believes in the power of collaboration and unity to achieve a common goal. Events like this remind us that vision is never achieved alone, neither is it realized overnight—but through struggles, triumphs, and small victories that culminate into a mosaic of human progress and resilience. While today may be marked with festivities, may it also be a reminder that there is still much to be done. As we consider the work of our respective countries and organizations represented today, let us not forget the humanitarian mandate to uplift one another—never ceasing to stand with those crying out in nations like Khartoum and the Bukavu. In these days and times, may we wield greater clarion calls to even greater action. In the old adage, we must always 'lift as we climb.’"

Watch “Sanicle’s Workplace Flo: Equity Wins at Beijing 30, Nova & UN CSW69 | Stop Helping, Start Leading!” on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKiliI0U-HE

Sanicle.Cloud: Transforming Workplace Health Equity

The summit also marked the official launch of Sanicle.Cloud, a B2B-B2G digital platform designed to help corporations and governments address menstrual and menopause-related workplace absenteeism. By integrating AI-powered insights with policy implementation, Sanicle is committed to ensuring that no woman loses her job due to a natural biological process.

"We need to move beyond merely 'empowering women'—a term that often implies permission—to actually placing them in positions of power," said Chaste Inegbedion, Chief Period Officer at Sanicle.Cloud.

"At the United Nations Global Compact, we recognize that gender equality is not just a fundamental human right but a necessary foundation for a prosperous and sustainable world," said Tolulope Lewis-Tamoka, Chief of Governmental Relations & Africa, UN Global Compact. She stressed that technology, when paired with bold policies and strategic investment, can be a game-changer for women’s economic empowerment.

Other award recipients included Dr. Padmini Murthy, Global Health Director at New York Medical College School of Health Sciences; Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, Acting Director of Reforms Coordination and Service Improvement at the FCTA and Founder of Helpline Foundation for the Needy, Abuja; Mariama Sahid, Advocacy Officer for the Young Women in Democracy Forum; Folusho Dasylva, CEO of Royalty Events; Rhoda Robinson, Executive Director of HACEY; Rosemond Yeboah, Founder of the RAY Foundation; and Richard Iyasere, a community leader in the Greater New York metropolitan area and Superintendent with the MTA.

Additional honorees included Mary Apollo, a South Sudanese youth ambassador and founder of The Four Directions; Audu Kadiri, community organizer and CEO of Youth Builders Initiative; Engr. Oluwakemi Ann-Melody Areola, former Special Assistant on Youth, ICT, and Corporate Relations, as well as Special Assistant on New Media to Nigerian Ministers; Dr. Prince Ero Ibhafidon, CEO of Waterlight Save Initiative; Isaac Bayoh, Youth Representative of Sierra Leone to the United Nations; and Henry Ukazu, Legal Coordinator for the NYC Department of Correction.

The list also featured Dr. Dior Fall, President and Founder of 1000 Shades of Women International; Saleah Blancaflor, TV reporter at ADWEEK; Luz Maria Utrera, UN Women Champion for Change, actress, and founder of Fundación Luz María; and many other distinguished personalities.

Watch “Humankind or Evil? Beijing+30 & NOVA Awards at UN CSW69 (Second Part)” on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_DKbHYPhMk

Looking Ahead: UNGA80 and Beyond

The Beyond Beijing 30 Summit and NOVA Award outcomes will be officially presented at the World Bank Spring Meetings in April 2025 and during UNGA80 in September 2025. The goal is to move from palliative solutions to sustainable, long-term investments that address women’s health, economic participation, and leadership representation.

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