Facial Keloid Scar AN AESTHETIC ENIGMA

by Dr. Oluseyi Ibukun-Obaro

Major injuries from cuts, crush, accidents, burns or surgical procedure may heal with keloid scarring. Conversely, injuries as innocuous as a pimple, mosquito bites, scratch wounds, minor bruises, shaving,canalsoresultinkeloid.

The normal coordinated wound healing process is disrupted and exaggerated leading to overabundance of collagen which builds up within the scar. This results in a raised, thick, itchy, and often darkly coloured scar. They can be very unsightly and sometimes painful especiallywhentheyareinfected.

ClinicalPresentation.

For individuals with facial keloid scars, the aesthetic implications may be far reaching as to affect their selfconfidence and self-esteem, causing social anxiety, emotional distress, and reducing the overall quality of

A keloid is a raised scar that develops at the site of an healed skin injury. It persist long after the initiating wound has healed; often increasing in size and growing beyond the boundaries of the initial wound. This feature distinguishes keloid from hypertrophic scars which are generally contained within the boundaries of the initiating wound.

Generally, all skin wounds heal with a scar which should remain flat when compared with contiguous skin and should regress (even out) with time. A few skin injuries however develop into an ugly raised scar which persist.

Keloids are commonest in the negroid race and rare in Caucasians with a ratio of up to 19:1 in these demography. The disfigurement and assault on beauty especially when it occurs on the face (facial keloid) often require professional intervention.

Facial scars are a frustrating problem to deal with as they often recur if appropriate treatment is not carefullyinstituted.

“Generally, all skin wounds heal with a scar which should remain flat when compared with contiguous skin and should regress (even out) with time. A few skin injuries however develop into an ugly raised scar which persist.” Cause.

The exact cause of keloid is not clearly understood. Many factors have been attributed keloid but none has been able to fully explain the mechanismofitsformation.

Some factors suggested include hormonal, immune dysfunction, skin tension and immune reaction to sebum.

Genetic predisposition to keloidal scars have been reported in the literature but the exact genes responsible are still a subject of conjecture.

The consensus is that keloid results from injury to the dermis of the skin. Any skin injury can result in keloid formationinthepredisposed.

Symptoms include itching, pain, recurring infection and pus discharge and even sleep disturbances. The complaints vary in differentindividuals.

There is no gender predilection but it is usually assumed and sometimes reportedtobecommonerinfemales.

The practices of facial piercing (ear, nose, lip etc) which are commoner in females may account for these assumptions. In females, a common site is the earlobe from additional piercings whilst in males, razor bruises during shaving or barbing makes it common in these shaved areas.

Curiously, keloids are found to be rare in the extremes of ages (very young and the elderly), occurring mostly in the 2nd and 3rd decades of life.

“Symptoms include itching, pain, recurring infection and pus discharge and even sleep disturbances. The complaints vary in different individuals.” scars can vary, but may include surgical, physical and medical interventions. A single intervention is usually inadequate to treat this malady. Surgical therapies include coreexcisionortotalexcisions.

Physical measures include pressure therapy, laser therapy, cryotherapy and radiation therapy. Medical interventions are plethora but steroid injections remain the most used medical modality. The goal of treatment is to flatten the raised scar and prevent recurrence which is the major complication of treatment. A combination of these treatments is usually employed to vanquish keloid especially if recurrence is to be prevented.

As a facial surgeon, I always strive to provide the best possible care and outcome for my patients with facial keloid, as I understand the impact that these scars can have on their lives.

If you know someone struggling with facial keloid scars, please advise them to seek out a qualified medical professional who can help determine the best treatment options. However, be mindful that every individual and scar is unique, so it's advisable to

Nigeria), dermatologist or plastic surgeon to determine which treatment may be best based on the severity and location of the keloid scar. Do not self medicate. Importantly, do not patronise quacks as they worsenanalreadycomplexcase.

“As a facial surgeon, I always strive to provide the best possible care and outcome for my patients with facial keloid, as I understand the impact that these scars can have on injured skin. They can occur anywhere in the body but when they occur on the face, they are immediately evident as they cannot be concealed, often resulting in physical and emotional distress for thesufferer.

Beauty is immediately challenged, necessitating immediate professional attention. It is majorly a black man's problem. Choice of treatment should becarefullysourced.

Treatment of this aesthetic enigma has been a subject of much research. It is better to leave it untreated than to get the wrong treatment. Recurrence is unforgiving. A word is enoughforthewise.

Who is Mrs Toyin Omozuwa? Please introduce yourself to our readers.

Mrs. Toyin Omozuwa is a strategic and resultdriven communication specialist with over 25 years of broad-based experience in public and media relations. The multi-competent, seasoned broadcast journalist who has worked in leading television stations in Nigeria, holds a first degree in Mass Communication, a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Relations and Advertising and a Master’s Degree in Media Arts from the University of Abuja.

Toyin Omozuwa is fearless in the pursuit of what sets her soul on fire. She communicates vision, purpose, and core values. Her mantra is “Be Unstoppable”. She is driven by passion, purpose, love, and service to humanity. These serve as core of her life and practice. She offers support and counselling to indigent women, victims of Genderbased violence and creates platforms for survivors to share their stories.

Founder, Women Supporting Women Network and Host, ‘Be Inspired Series’, a bi-monthly virtual programme tailored to discuss topical issues and teach tested and timeless principles for growth and success. Participants join from across the globe.

Toyin Omozuwa is married and blessed with three teenagers.

“Toyin Omozuwa is fearless in the pursuit of what sets her soul on fire. She communicates vision, purpose, and core values. Her mantra is “Be Unstoppable”.”

Can you walk us through some of the key events and milestones in your life that have led you to where you are today? How has your upbringing and personal experiences influenced your decisions and career paths?

I grew up in a beautiful family of five. I call it beautiful because of how my parents fostered love and unity among us. I was not over-pampered, having been nurtured and mentored by two great disciplinarians; my loving parents, but I enjoyed undiluted love, great care and every good thing you could possibly think of. Most of my strongest values come from lessons I learnt from my parents. From them, I learnt diligence, integrity, generosity, care for others, humility, forgiveness, kindness, gratitude and service to humanity. I will always be thankful to my parents. They were my heroes. They taught me how to exercise my faith in God and the power of prayer.

I recall as a teenager, when I lived within the confines of how people defined me, it affected my self-esteem and became a limitation to unleashing my potential. My parents’ support and prayers helped a great deal. I was finally liberated when Grace found me. I began to define myself from God’s viewpoint. Accepting God’s definition for my life was one of the major turning points in my journey. Apart from helping me understand my “why”, it set me on a path of intentional living and I am purposed to live my life to the fullest. I also determined to help people change the unpleasant mindsets and narratives they have about themselves, maximise their potential and actualise their dreams.

My passion to help women was borne out of the traumatic experiences some of my female colleagues and friends went through. Key among these were domestic violence, verbal and psychological abuse. More so, they lacked a good support system. I recall vividly an experience where a colleague’s husband came to the office to publicly humiliate himself by beating his wife. It took the intervention of other colleagues to hold him back. It probably would have been deadly. That hit me hard. The truth is, it doesn’t matter what she did, it’s not okay to hit a woman.

I later discovered she wasn’t the only one going through domestic violence. I identified a few of them, reached out and offered counselling. From counselling, I discovered that they lived in constant fear and lacked the needed support. A friend’ s sister also died untimely from the brutality of her husband. The stories increased. This gave birth to my desire to help women going through domestic violence or any form of abuse understand that they deserve better and should choose to reach out for help and stop suffering in silence. Violence thrives in silence.

Most victims of domestic violence choose not to leave their abuser due to loss of self-esteem, fear of being embarrassed, ridiculed or stigmatised, fear of the unknown and majorly, believing abuse is normal. It actually takes courage to leave an abusive relationship. To offer support, I started an online closed group just for women called “Woman to Woman” to interact, unwind and share their stories. Being a closed group, some survivors of domestic violence were able to share their stories. This gave courage and voice to victims of domestic violence.

In addition, I share inspirations on the group to help women develop and boost their self-esteem and confidence. We hold physical meetings where some survivors of domestic and sexual violence share their stories to inspire and strengthen other women. The meetings also encourage women to break their silence, develop themselves, awaken the greatness within them, deliver value and pursue excellence in all things. My fields of study and work experience contribute greatly to what I do. It has enhanced my speaking, planning and writing skills through which I reach a large audience.

“My passion to help women was borne out of the traumatic experiences some of my female colleagues and friends went through. Key among these were domestic violence, verbal and psychological abuse.”

Can you tell our readers about the Women Supporting Women Network (WSWN) and the services and programmes the organisation provides?

For wider and greater impact, the online closed group metamorphosed into WOMEN SUPPORTING WOMEN NETWORK (WSWN) in 2019. Women Supporting Women Network (WSWN) is a non-profit organisation which seeks to empower women with capacity and capabilities to explore their potential for living a fulfilled life in all spheres of life.

Women Supporting Women Network holds digital and real-life events to help people unwind, network, share inspirations, exchange ideas, build their career, mental health, relationships, businesses, reach their financial goals, thrive and live their utmost.

We invest in programmes and projects that strengthen the voices of the marginalised and vul nerable, promote economic advancement, leader ship, and well-being of women.

We envision a world where women come together and help each other thrive. Our belief is that wom en should experience life free from poverty, vio lence, exclusion and discrimination. Through our outreach programmes, we have trained many rural women in different skills acquisition programmes for their empowerment.

Our core values are; Excellence, Care, Respect, Dignity, Inclusiveness, Equity and Advocacy.

What inspired you to start the Women Supporting Women Network, and what was the motivation behind this?

My inspiration comes from God’s dealing with me and on His commission “to help the afflicted, bind up the wounds of the broken-hearted, proclaim release from confinement, pain and oppression”.

I was also driven by the passion to give women a voice, promote gender equality, help women deal with issues of depression and suicidal ideation, attain financial freedom, maximise their potential and live their utmost. I strongly believe women should experience life free of violence, poverty, exclusion and discrimination.

The need for a strong support system for women was also a strong motivation. I realised most women lacked good support systems. Who to run to, Where to go to, how to navigate and who to speak to in the midst of crises, especially domestic violence victims.

The importance of a support system cannot be over emphasised. It creates the needed cover and succor for battered women, survivors of domestic and sexual violence. It also gives hope, courage, strength, comfort and healing to women battling depression, trauma, mental illness and other issues.

Women Supporting Women Network has grown to become a pillar and safe place to women. We offer counselling, therapy, trainings, pro bono services, among other things.

In your opinion, what are some of the key challenges that women face today, and how does your organisation aim to help solve these?

Key among the challenges women face are domestic

We seek to address these challenges through our four-point agenda which include:

 LIFTING WOMEN OUT OF POVERTY

We are committed to ensuring that no woman is a victim of poverty. We create platforms that will enhance financial literacy and seek funding opportunities for women initiatives and skill acquisition programmes. This is borne out of the belief that an empowered woman empowers communities.

 EDUCATING WOMEN TO LIVE ABOVE ABUSE

Abuse is a common feature in an androcentric society like ours. This abuse manifests in violent and subtle forms like rape, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, etc. When a woman is abused, her capacity to excel is stunted. Recognizing that abuse is a growth impedance, WSWN seeks to educate society about the heinous culture of abuse and collaborate with policy makers to ensure abuse is relegated to a historical past. In appreciation of the behavioural change function of the media, we will harness media platforms to push to the fore of public consciousness, abuse related issues.

 FOSTERING RELATIONAL FULFILMENT

Relational satisfaction is central to the pursuit of happiness. This is an elusive phenomenon for many women. Hence, we seek to create interactive platforms where women can share their perspectives and experiences on building healthy relationships in every sphere of life.

 GIVING WOMEN A VOICE

The marginalisation of women is an age long problem. To the detriment of society, women lack the agency in different spheres. At women supporting women network, we seek to strengthen the voices of the marginalised and vulnerable by educating and empowering women to have a voice in issues relating to their ontic wellbeing.

 PARTNERSHIP AND NETWORKING

We seek to network and partner with other women NGOs, corporate organisations, government agencies and the media to advance the society through women empowerment.

“When a woman is abused, her capacity to excel is stunted.”

What is the WSWN doing to create a safe and inclusive space for all women, regardless of their backgrounds or experiences? What can government do?

We organise fora where women are informed and educated about their rights and significance, promote a culture of respect, create platforms where women could unburden; talk and be heard.

We celebrate differences and prioritise inclusion over diversity. We have a support system for survivors of gender based violence. Furthermore, through the execution of our 4-point agenda, we will continue to create a safe and inclusive space for all women, regardless of their backgrounds or experiences.

What can government do to create a safe and inclusive place for all women, regardless of their backgrounds or experiences?

Government at all levels; local, state and federal should take bold steps to promote inclusive economic advancement, protect women’s human rights, and address social and economic inequalities that hold women back from achieving their potential. Government should support policies and initiatives that promote social justice and take concrete steps to implement them, remove barriers to social justice for women, ensure opportunities for the advancement of social justice for women are in place and ensure that women have access to basic services. Government should also promote gender equality and empower women to participate fully in all aspects of social and economic life.

The Orange Forum is one of the many initiatives you created to empower women. Kindly share with us the objectives of the programme and the successes you have been able to record.

The Orange Forum is an annual campaign of WSWN, held in observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

This campaign aims to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls around the world, calling for global action to increase awareness, promote advocacy and create opportunities for discussion on challenges, impact, solutions, mental health and support systems.

Women Supporting Women Network has an ethical vision of a world where the voices of women are not muffled. We envision a world where victims of violence can access justice, a world where violence is possibly eliminated. So, The Orange Forum is one of the tools we use in achieving this.

The annual campaign also creates a platform for survivors of sexual and Domestic Violence (DV) to share their stories with participants. This in turn gives courage to DV victims to break their silence and reach out for help. So far, we have had four successful campaigns; one live and three, virtual. The feedback is always amazing and inspiring.

Gender inequality has been a global issue. The Global Gap Report ranked Nigeria 123 with a score of 63.9% out of 146 countries. Even countries like Rwanda, Namibia, and South Africa were ahead of Nigeria. What role do you think the government can play to improve women's participation in wealth creation and politics?

Promoting gender equality can be an economic game changer. Government should therefore promote gender equality and encourage financial inclusion. Closing the gender gap would mean higher growth and productivity and greater economic stability. Gender Equality represents a safer, healthier, and more prosperous society for all.

Promoting financial inclusion among women can help provide women with the opportunities to start businesses, get an education, and increase their independence and agency. Due to discriminatory laws, institutional barriers and disproportionate access to quality education, healthcare and resources, women worldwide continue to be marginalised in the political arena. Government should create enabling environment for women to reach equal and sustainable political participation by breaking down the barriers and create opportunities for women at each level.

Furthermore, Government needs to promote women ’s rights, promote gender sensitive policies and foster inclusivity in leadership, civic engagement and decision making in political processes.

“Promoting gender equality can be an economic game changer. Government should therefore promote gender equality and encourage financial inclusion.”

As an advocate against gender-based violence, what are the identified factors that have contributed to this menace in Nigeria and what are the institutional remedies available for a victim to seek redress?

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a complex issue with multiple factors contributing to its prevalence in Nigeria. Some of the identified factors include:

1. Patriarchal norms: In Nigeria, patriarchal norms still dominate many aspects of society, with men often seen as the head of the household and women expected to be submissive. This can create power imbalances that contribute to gender-based violence.

2. Weak legal framework: While there are laws in place to protect women from GBV, they are often not enforced or implemented effectively. This can make it difficult for victims to seek justice.

3. Poverty and inequality: Poverty and inequality can exacerbate GBV, as women may be more vulnerable to violence if they are economically dependent on their abusers.

4. Lack of awareness: Many people in Nigeria still do not fully understand the gravity of GBV or the impact it has on victims, which can lead to a lack of support for victims and a culture of victim-blaming.

In terms of institutional remedies, there are several options available for victims of GBV in Nigeria. These include:

1. The police: Victims can report incidents of GBV to the police, who are responsible for investigating and prosecuting offenders.

2. Legal aid: Victims can access legal aid services, which provide free legal representation and advice to those who cannot afford it.

3. Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs): There are several NGOs in Nigeria that provide support and services to victims of GBV, including counselling, medical treatment, and shelter. Women Supporting Women Network is one of them. We provide legal aid, counselling, and support.

4. The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP): NAPTIP is a government agency that is responsible for combating human trafficking and other forms of GBV. Victims of GBV can access support and services through NAPTIP.

Overall, while there are institutional remedies available for victims of GBV in Nigeria, there is still much work to be done to address the underlying factors that contribute to GBV and to create a culture that supports and empowers victims.

Given the different cases of domestic violence, how can law enforcement and the criminal justice system better respond to domestic violence cases?

Domestic violence is a serious social problem in Nigeria, and it requires a comprehensive approach by law enforcement and the criminal justice system to effectively respond to it. Law enforcement and the criminal justice system can better respond to domestic violence cases in Nigeria through:

1. Increased Sensitisation: Law enforcement and the criminal justice system need to increase awareness of domestic violence, its effects on victims, and the punishment for perpetrators. This will help victims of domestic violence report cases more often and make the criminal justice system more effective.

2. Improved Investigation Techniques: The law enforcement and criminal justice system should adopt new investigation techniques that consider the psychological state of victims, their safety, and the potential risk to their lives. This should incorporate forensic evidence collection, crime scene analysis, and interviews with relatives and friends.

3. Specialised Domestic Violence Units: The law enforcement and criminal justice system should establish specialised domestic violence units to investigate and handle cases of domestic violence. These units should be trained to provide support, counselling, and shelter to victims.

4. Implementation of Domestic Violence Laws: Nigeria has existing domestic violence laws, but there is a need to ensure that they are implemented effectively. Police officers and the judiciary should be trained on how to apply these laws for successful prosecution.

5. Collaboration with Civil Society Organisations: Law enforcement and the criminal justice system should collaborate with civil society organisations that have specialised experience in dealing with domestic violence cases. These organisations can help provide support to victims and encourage them to report cases.

In summary, the key to effectively responding to domestic violence cases in Nigeria is for law enforcement and the criminal justice system to adopt a more sensitive approach. With increased awareness, specialised units, improved investigation techniques, and collaboration with civil society organisations, the fight against domestic violence can be more effective.

Talk about your values. Do you share similar values? Are you compatible? Engage in open and honest conversations. How much of each other do you know? What is a Deal-Breaker for You? Everyone has different deal-breakers. Be open about what yours are, and listen to your partner’ s. Decide together whether you can deal with those and if they seem reasonable to you.

Talk about everything; finances, children, in-laws, career, etc. How do you plan to raise your children? You need to be honest about any debt, credit cards and potential overdrafts before tying the knot. This is one to discuss as soon as you get engaged to make sure you ’re not overspending on a wedding, when you might have debts to clear.

Marry your friend. Marry someone that respects you and someone you can respect. Marriage is a relationship between two forgivers. Does your partner easily forgive? Trust is another important consideration. Do you trust each other? How sincere is your partner with you? How open are you to each other? Marry someone that trusts you and someone you can trust. Marriage doesn’t change people. It only amplifies their character. Marry someone with godly character; who loves and fears God; someone who points you always to God and not distract you from Him.

As a life coach to young people, what are the indispensable negotiations young people should have with their partners before considering marriage?

Define marriage. You may have different perspectives about marriage. So, take time to talk about how you both think your combined lives should be structured. Have open conversations about what your idea of marriage is and what your expectations are from your spouse. In these conversations, you may discover that you and your partner have very different ideas of marriage. Talking about it will be helpful. Be sure you are both heading in the same direction. Your purpose will determine your direction. Why would you want to spend the rest of your life with someone with no purpose or direction or someone heading to the north while you are heading to the south? So many women have sacrificed their destinies on the altar of marriage.

Marriage should enhance your destiny. Talk about your vision. Does your partner believe in your vision? This will determine the support you will get when you marry. Marry someone who is personally and consciously involved in advancing your goals. Partners must actively help each other to move forward. Marry someone that is not intimidated by your success or victories. Discuss your short and long term goals.

Don’t marry for the wrong reasons. Marriage was not created to make you happy but to make you better. If you can’t be happy or find your joy as a

No School’. Please share with our readers what motivated the campaign and the lessons you learned while working on that project.

Women Supporting Women Network joined the “No Protection No School Campaign on the 17th of December 2021. The campaign was championed by Mr. Taiwo Akinlami, an Egilitarian, Social Development and Public Interest Lawyer of over 20 years.

The campaign which started with stimulating discussions, was in honour of late Sylvester Oromoni, for Justice and a safer environment in Nigeria. It canvassed for a secure, friendly and protective environment for our precious children within the school system, employing the System’s Approach.

System’s Approach begins with installing in a school, a Child Protection System, codified into a POLICY, broken down into PROCESSES on which every stakeholder in the school (including parents and children) are periodically trained on the roles.

It is common knowledge that the well being of the precious African child is threatened on all sides and in all places. This is because most of Nigeria’s private and public institutions are yet to accept the wisdom in System’s Approach to child protection and this makes children subject to one form of abuse or the other.

The campaign ran successfully till the end of January 31, 2022, and metamorphosed into a bigger campaign, #NOPROTECTION NOCHILDREN.

Lessons From The No Protection No School Campaign

• Every child matters.

• Every child should be treated with respect and dignity.

• Every child has rights which should be recognised, respected and protected

• The absence of the commitment of our private and public institutions in Africa to System’ s Approach to Child Protection is an existential threat to existence of our precious children. Once there is no System, our precious children are not protected anywhere, including within the family, once they are not protected, then, childhood is threatened with extinction.

• The protection of our precious children is everyone ’s responsibility. We all need to promote child safety and protection in schools, religious institutions, homes, society.

Drug abuse and addiction

You once hosted a programme to bring attention to drug abuse and addiction. Please share some lessons from this programme. What is the place of emotional support by friends and family members to people struggling with drug abuse and addiction?

Yes, we hosted a programme with the theme, ‘Freedom from Drug Addiction’. Drug addiction is one of the major health challenges across the globe. A chronic, often relapsing brain disease that causes compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences to the drug addict and those around them.

From the programme, we learnt that factors such as peer pressure, physical and sexual abuse, early exposure to drugs, stress, and parental guidance can greatly affect a person’s likelihood of drug use and addiction. Second, drug addiction is treatable and can be successfully managed. No case is a write -off and therefore, no drug addict should be written off. Third, recovery is a journey. Fourth, drug use and addiction are preventable. Fifth, parent-child communication on drug abuse prevention is needful. Prevention programmes involving families, schools, communities, and the media are effective for educating and preventing or reducing drug use and addiction.

What is the place of emotional support by friends and family members to people struggling with drug abuse and addiction?

A good support system is essential for people struggling with drug abuse and addiction. Like I mentioned earlier, recovery is a journey. The journey to recovery for individuals struggling with addiction can be very challenging. Having a support system, along with other treatments and therapy, is very important for ongoing success and fighting against relapse. People struggling with drug abuse and addiction require physical and emotional support, acceptance, patience, understanding, motivation and prayers, not abandonment or rejection.

It is not uncommon for individuals recovering from addiction to feel lonely and isolated. Having a support system can provide comfort, company and incorporate people into their lives that might relate to what they are going through.

The support system does not have to be made up of just family or friends. Support groups are a great way to start building connection with individuals in an environment that is free from judgment.

Financial freedom

You have used the WSWN platform to encourage financial education and financial independence, how important is it for women/men to be financially independent and what important steps do you think people need to take to get to that point?

We are honoured to have Mrs. Bimbo Komolafe, the Executive Director/Co-Founder of Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation (RDSF) as our “adopted” financial coach in Women Supporting Women Network. She has graciously educated us on recipes for enjoying financial freedom, significance of financial planning, key principles for financial fitness, and application of the ESI model, among many other things.

Financial independence knows no age nor gender. It can be attained irrespective of your age or gender. Financial Independence is not defined by how much money you make, but by the freedom you have to live your life without limitations and financial burdens.

Being financially independent has so many benefits. This includes better living standards, higher financial security, stress free life, better mental and physical health and peace of mind. Attaining financial independence takes a lot of hard work. It requires good financial habits, healthy spending patterns, proper planning and investing. Lack of planning, impulsive spending, improper expenditures, debts and wrong investments are all hindrances to pursuing and achieving financial independence.

Financial Independence makes money work for you and guarantees a comfortable post-retirement life. With discipline and careful planning, it is possible to achieve financial freedom or independence. Start by setting specific and realistic financial goals. This is key in achieving financial independence. Set measurable goals and put them in writing. Be intentional about setting monthly savings and expense budgets.

Financial freedom is impossible if you’re not living on a budget. Set wisely, spend less than you earn. Learn to track your spending. Invest. Saving is one thing, but investing is another. Develop an investment strategy and choose appropriate investments. Control debts; don’t let it control you, pay off debts, develop a debt reduction strategy. Create an emergency fund. It acts like a buffer between you and the unexpected life events that happen. Invest in your health because poor health maintenance can negatively affect your financial goals, plan for retirement and work with a financial advisor or coach.

Women Supporting Women Network 2

Looking to the future, what are your organisation's goals? What are the future plans to expand your reach and impact and how do you plan to achieve them?

Our future goals include constructing a Shelter house for female victims of Domestic Violence in FCT Abuja. The construction of a shelter house will offer security and other supporting services to women who experience physical and psychological abuse, whose lives are under threats in their immediate family environment. These supporting services include: feeding, counselling, medical support, and legal aid.

From women suffering domestic violence to mentally distressed women, all will be provided with emergency assistance and guidance. In addition, educative programmes will be offered to empower survivors, help regain their confidence and psychological stability. They will be assisted in entering or re-entering the labour market in order to become financially independent.

Secondly is the construction of an Empowerment Centre for Women and in FCT, Abuja Nigeria. This is aimed at promoting the empowerment of women through education, training and information. Through this project, they will have access to formal education, training in traditional incomegenerating skills such as handicraft production, as well as arranging and monitoring women's self-help groups, helping them to save money, have access to loans and create small enterprises of their own. also have other Grassroots Humanitarian Projects aimed at providing communities with access to safe water and sustainable solutions to hunger.”

We are committed to helping women attain financial independence. We also have other Grassroots Humanitarian Projects aimed at providing communities with access to safe water and sustainable solutions to hunger. Furthermore, we will host TV/Radio programmes to educate women.

This will provide a platform to reach a wider audience of women and educate them on their physical and mental wellbeing and other issues that affect their lives in order to help them live their utmost. Most of these aforementioned goals and initiatives to reach and impact a wider audience are capital intensive. In achieving them, we will explore partnership with financial institutions and NGOs, leverage on corporate sponsorship, grants, etc.

How can individuals or organisations get involved and support your efforts to achieve your organisation's goals?

We are open to collaboration, donations and sponsorship in support of our goals. We welcome volunteers too. Interested volunteers can join via our website wswnetwork.org or send a mail to networkwsw@gmail.com Donations can be sent to https://paystack.com/pay/wswn

We hear the phrase “women supporting women” a lot. In your opinion do you think women truly support women? Why do you think some women are the first to critic/tear down other women? What do women need to do better when it comes to supporting other women?

To a large extent, I will say, women support women. Unlike what it used to be, women are beginning to offer support to other women. Personally and as an organisation, most of the support we enjoy come from women. In our programmes, we communicate the significance of women supporting and empowering women.

Nonetheless, some women haven’t truly understood its importance. So, rather than support, they pull down. Women need to understand that we rise by lifting others. When women support each other, incredible things happen. One woman’ s success can only help another woman’ s success.

I wish more women will come to the realisation that other women are not your competition. Stand with them, not against them. Celebrate their success without questioning yours.

As women, let’s endeavour to continually support, inspire, mentor and empower other women. Supporting women is not limited to financial support. Being available to listen, counsel, encourage and cheer women on are other forms of support. Making readily available information other women can benefit from is a form of support.

Parenting/work life balance

Some parents find it difficult to strike a balance between their financial and physical responsibilities as parents. Some do not get to spend enough time with their children because of the nature of their job/professions. As a parent, what has been your experience with work-life balance? How important is worklife balance and what advice do you have for parents on this?

The importance of work-life balance cannot be overemphasised Work-life balance is the act of separating one’s work life from one’s personal life in such a way that neither encroaches on the other. Considering the nature of our jobs, achieving worklife balance is tough, but not unachievable. It requires dedication, prioritisation and developing a realistic schedule.

We can`t truly be considered successful in our work if our homes are in shambles. Understand that there is no perfect work-life balance but there is a realistic one. Overtime, I have mastered the art of work life balance but didn’t get there in one day. It took me sacrifices, especially when my children were toddlers. Now, they are all teenagers, but I still make out time for them. Availability is key in parenting.

Our children need quality time with us. As parents, let’s be more involved in the different stages our children go through. Our guidance is key in all stages. How often do we communicate with our children? We need to communicate more. The fact that they say they’ re “okay” doesn’t mean they are really okay. One of the reasons some of them resort to suicide or drug addiction is because they had no one to share their struggles and fears with. Let’ s make our homes conducive enough for our children to open up to us.

Let’s spend more time with our children. It’ s one thing to be home with them, it’s another to be visible in their lives and pursuits. Our presence in their lives is more significant than the presents we give them and the “money we are making for them”.

When we have a good work-life balance, we are more likely to have the mental and emotional energy to give our children the loving attention they need to develop, learn and thrive. Some of us will have to make certain adjustments, change work

About you again

In hindsight, what advice do you have for your 25-year-old self and by extension any young girl reading this interview with big dreams for the future?

You are worthy of all you dream of achieving. Your dreams are valid. There is no height you can’t attain. There’s nothing you can’t accomplish. Be fearless in the pursuits of your dreams. Your potential to success is limitless. Your gender is not a barrier. Your age is not a barrier. Your location isn’t a barrier. Believe in yourself. Believe in your potential. Believe in God. Stop telling yourself you can ’t do it. Confront your fears. Deal with your excuses. You can do it. It’s in you, Stand up and be more. Don’t deny the world the impact of your dreams.

However, without action, the best of intentions are nothing but intentions. Until you take action, it remains an imagination. Until you do it, it can’t be accomplished. Until you start, it won’t begin. Begin NOW. Give life to your dream. Make it happen. Be unstoppable.

When Mrs Omozuwa isn’t working, how does she relax?

She listens to music or watches movies

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