Afterschool Centre for Career Development(ACCD) joined over 15,000 women globally to mark the 2018 International Women’s Day and Global Mentoring Week. The Week’s activities which included a Mentors and Mentors Briefing, a Digital skills workshop, a Women in Enterprise Conference in collaboration with CUSO International and the Global Mentoring Walk held concurrently on Saturday, March  11^th, 2017 in 60 countries in collaboration with Vital Voices Global Partnership.

The Vital Voices Global Mentoring Walk provided an environment for aspiring women professionals to gain the support and guidance that they need to fulfill their goals, as mentoring is proven to be one of the most important steps to establishing a successful career.

Aimed at providing effective support system to help overcome the obstacles to career growth that women commonly face in corporate and professional environments, such as experiencing the “glass ceiling” effect and limited networking options the Global Mentoring Walk further strengthened intergenerational and gender-based shadowing amongst women, inspires a new cadre of women leaders/entrepreneurs and amplify the significance of all women in our local, national and international polity.

The Mentoring walk-in Calabar featured prominent Women leaders such as the Mrs. Justina Ovat, Senior Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross River State on Tourism Development & General Manager,Tinapa, Dr. Martina Ubi ,The Director General, Cross River State Agricultural Development Agency, Mrs. Tosin Akibu,Project Coordinator, FHI360 Four Pillars project amongst other leading female executives.

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Speaking on the essence of the Walk, the Founder/ Faculty Lead, Afterschool Centre for Career Development and Flagbearer of the Walk, Esther Eshiet charged mentees to manage the privilege of being mentored by these leading Executives. She reminded that Mentoring is the shortest route to achieving success with the support of someone who has gone ahead of you; who knows the path you interested in walking in”

Some of the Mentees shared their perspective about the walk:

I came to the Mentoring walk with the idea of setting up a provision shop while I wait for my NYSC call-up letter but I left the walk with a better business idea in a sector I am passionate about – Edidiong Bassey, Mentee

My major take away from the walk is how to make decisions- before now I didn’t know there was a science to decision making.-  Asuquo Mercy

I learned about my personality test  at the walk; my mentor helped me do a google search about my personality type and opened a new understanding of why I behave the way I do  – Gina Stella

I had the opportunity to learn who a true Mentor is; before now I thought Ben Carson was my Mentor;I learnt the difference through this programme – Happiness Paul

I have made some terrible mistakes in my life and I recently lost a well -paying job  due to lack of guidance; I wish I had signed up for this earlier – (Name withheld)

My only mentors in life were my parents; but signing up for the mentoring programme helped change my perspective about mentoring and who a mentor is – Joyce Okon

Vital Voices Global Partnership 

Vital Voices Global Partnership invests in women leaders who improve the world. Founded by former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, and guided by the belief that women are essential to progress in their communities, we partner with leaders from more than 140 countries who advance economic opportunity, increase political and public leadership, and end violence against women. Our programs in strategic planning, business, advocacy and communications build critical skills needed for creating transformational change at scale. Through our global platform, women leaders expand their connections and visibility, accelerating shared progress for all. Visit www.vitalvoices.org to learn more.

About Afterschool Centre for Career Development:

Afterschool Centre for Career Development (formerly known as Afterschool Peer Mentoring Project) is a non-governmental, capacity development organization committed to inspiring, investing and engaging young people as well as facilitating growth opportunities for young persons in transitional stages of their lives. We ignite young people to set career goals and walk them through the achievement of such goals enabling them transit seamlessly from school to work.

For Partnerships and inquiries, contact their Programmes and Partnerships Officer, info@afterschoolcentre.org or call 081870508000; +2348185035437.