Stand firm, be indispensable, and navigate sexual advances in the workplace – Gift Johnbull tells woman

At the Young African Women Congress held in Abuja, Nigeria, Gift Johnbull, a prominent advocate for women's empowerment who is also a Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on Community Engagement, addressed the pervasive issue of sexual exploitation faced by women in professional spaces.

Emphasizing resilience and strategic thinking, Gift shared insights on how women can navigate male-dominated environments while staying true to their values.

In her speech, Gift Johnbull highlighted that sexual advances aren’t confined to specific industries or roles.

She noted that even in entrepreneurial ventures, women often encounter partners or associates who mistake professional collaboration for romantic interest. Her advice? “Don’t compromise your values, and don’t allow anyone to diminish them either. Become so valuable in your role that you’re indispensable,” she said.

Gift acknowledged that women—married or single, qualified and successful—often find themselves in these situations simply because of their achievements. Rather than getting confrontational, she advised a calm and strategic approach: “You don’t need to create an enemy. Engage with people respectfully and with relational wisdom, turning the focus back to professionalism,” she explained.

To mitigate unwanted advances, Gift encouraged women to build rapport with colleagues in a way that establishes boundaries. “Sometimes, simple gestures—like bringing family-oriented gifts or addressing people in a familial, respectful tone—can reshape how they perceive you,” she shared.

This approach, she suggested, could help shift perspectives, allowing women to be seen as respected colleagues rather than romantic prospects.

Gift’s message resonated as a call for women to be resourceful and resilient in handling professional challenges without compromising their integrity. Her approach underscores the need for relational intelligence and navigating obstacles with strategy and composure.

The Young African Women Congress (YAWC) Network is a fraternity of young women of African descent living in Africa and in the diaspora who seek to be empowered and be themselves, change-makers for leadership and development on the continent.

At the heart of its mandate is the mobilisation of women from the grassroots level for leadership and development through advocacy, training and projects.

This year’s edition was held under the theme: “Enhancing Women’s Economic Empowerment through Innovation and Technology.” It was held from October 27 to 31, 2024.