MARRIAGE SHOULD NEVER DIMINISH A WOMAN’S POTENTIAL — MY STORY AND WHY I AM HeForShe – Prof. Uchenna Emelonye

My commitment to women’s empowerment and gender equality is not merely a campaign promise. It is a principle I have supported in my professional life in the United Nations and importantly, within my own family.

In the past three decades, I have had the privilege of sharing life’s journey of marriage with Langtang – Plateau State born wife Dr Abigail Uchenna Emelonye, an accomplished nursing academic and researcher whose career spans the United States, United Kingdom, Europe and Africa.

Prior to her current position as Assistant Professor of Nursing Science at Coventry University UK, she was a Senior Lecturer at Bournemouth University UK and London South Bank University UK, etc. She is also a Fellow of Advance Higher Education (FHEA) UK with decades of clinical, academic, research and public health experience, including with UNICEF.

Her journey reflects what women can achieve when, alongside the demanding responsibilities of family life, their aspirations are encouraged and they have the opportunity to realise their full potential. While raising our three children and navigating life with a somewhat “nomadic” husband serving across the world, she steadfastly pursued her own ambitions—earning a PhD in Nursing Science from the University of Eastern Finland, an MSc in Health Sciences from the University of Leicester UK, a Diploma in Nursing from the School of Nursing Owerri, and a BSc in Education from the University of Port Harcourt.

Throughout her academic and professional career across several universities, I have believed that a husband’s ambition or success should not require the sacrifice of his wife’s potential. As a mutually beneficial sacrament, marriage should create room for both partners to grow, excel and contribute to society. I am proud that while I pursued my own demanding international career across 21 countries and four continents, my wife was equally encouraged to pursue her education, professional development and academic ambitions.

My wife’s story is her achievement. I do not claim credit for what she has accomplished. But I am proud to have stood beside her in love, encouraged her aspirations and built a marriage in which her advancement has never been regarded as a threat to mine.

MY COMMITMENT TO THE WOMEN AND GIRLS OF IDEATO

This personal experience reinforces a principle I have long embraced-: When we empower a woman, we expand the possibilities of an entire family and community.

I believe men have an important role to play in dismantling barriers that prevent women and girls from reaching their potential. That is what being a HeForShe means to me. It is not just speaking for women, but standing with them and letting them be their best.

My representation of ndi Ideato will therefore seek to expand opportunities for girls’ education, women’s skills development, entrepreneurship, access to economic opportunities, maternal and community healthcare, leadership development and meaningful participation in decisions affecting our communities.

Our daughters should be encouraged to dream! Our wives and sisters should have opportunities to prosper!! And men should be partners in making that possible!!!

Prof. Uchenna Emelonye (Konjo)

Nigeria Democratic Congress

Ideato Federal Constituency