…Pledges to be more gender-inclusive
Suzuki by CFAO ended the 2023 automotive business year in Nigeria with the graduation ceremony of its Suzuki Empower Her 2.0 (SEH) programme on December 20, 2023 in a momentous celebration of female empowerment and achievement.
The event, held at the Suzuki by CFAO showroom in Victoria Island, marked the culmination of a two-month intensive training programme for 20 female technicians, emphasizing Suzuki by CFAO’s commitment to fostering diversity and inclusivity within the automotive industry.
The SEH programme, initiated through a collaborative effort between Suzuki by CFAO and Automedics Limited, is a groundbreaking industry initiative aimed at providing free training opportunities for women aspiring to thrive in the automotive sector.
The partnership, sealed with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on August 1, 2022, set the stage for a transformative journey towards gender inclusivity in the traditionally male-dominated field.
Aissatou Diouf, general manager of Suzuki by CFAO, reflecting on the journey so far, expressed her gratitude to Automedics Limited, acknowledging their dedication to supporting the girl child.
This partnership paved the way for the establishment of SEH, reflecting Suzuki by CFAO’s commitment to empowering women with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the automotive industry.
The graduation ceremony, which commenced featured a panel session with five speakers, including industry experts, Suzuki by CFAO representatives, and partners.
Guests, comprising individuals from banking institutions and other categories of customers, witnessed the emotional highlight of the event as the female technicians received their well-deserved certificates of training completion.
One of the highpoint of the graduation and certificates presentation ceremony was the retention of a total of seven outstanding graduates for internships within Suzuki by CFAO, underscoring the program’s success in nurturing talent within its own ranks.
Skill Up with Kahdsole (SUWK), a social-tech enterprise and Suzuki by CFAO’s collaborator in the SEH program, played a crucial role in ensuring that the remaining graduates were seamlessly absorbed into their platform for additional opportunities.
The ceremony highlighted the success stories of past SEH graduates, exemplified by Calista Nganyadi and Adebimpe Okunlola Rukayat, who were retained by Suzuki by CFAO after completing the program last year.
Their achievements stand as a testament to the long-term impact envisioned by Aissatou Diouf, who emphasized the importance of consistency in empowering women beyond training.
“We don’t want to just train them and let them go. t has to be something consistent, not just to show that we are doing something, but to know that Suzuki by CFAO has empowered women”, said Aissatou Diouf.
Suzuki by CFAO’s dedication to fostering a diverse workforce is evident in the SEH program, which strives to create a level playing field for women in the automotive industry.
The initiative not only equips female technicians with the skills needed for successful careers but also reflects Suzuki by CFAO’s broader commitment to creating a fair and inclusive society in Nigeria.
As the SEH program continues to make strides in breaking down barriers and empowering women in the automotive sector, Suzuki by CFAO stands as a beacon of diversity, with women occupying challenging roles at all levels of the organization.
The SEH program, now with a complete curriculum, positions its graduates to seek employment opportunities within the automotive industry and related fields, further contributing to the ongoing transformation of the sector.
The programme serves as a powerful reminder that collaboration, dedication, and a commitment to diversity are essential ingredients for building a brighter and more inclusive future for women in the automotive industry.
