The Creative Thinker Series...
The Creative Thinker Series is a set of original analyses of thoughts and methods of some of the most interesting minds of our times. We look at their career trajectory, choices made along the way, and attempt to elicit their philosophy and approach to innovation. Over extended conversations and subsequent follow-up discussions, supported by a thorough examination of information available about their work (website, published information, and on occasion, speaking to their colleagues) we try to put together factors we think summarizes their thinking and approach to social innovation and enterprise.
We are forever grateful to them, for taking the time to talk to us about their work and approach, giving us insight into several issues, including the not-so-obvious and invisible ones.
Josephine Nzerem, Changing the Narrative....
Image courtesy: J Nzerem
Josephine Nzerem, Founder, Human Angle.
Also, Director, Venture & Fellowship at Ashoka Africa.
Josephine, or 'mama' as she is affectionately called by thousands of Nigerian women is now a Director, Venture & Fellowship at Ashoka Africa. She is also the founder of Human Angle, an organization striving for equal property rights and educating women about the same
She is widely recognized for her mission to bring in systemic change in womens’ empowerment and for not limiting the conversation about women to women alone but making men the focus of her efforts as well.
She has won numerous awards, grants and widespread recognition since the 1990s for her work. She was an Ashoka Fellow from 2002-05 (and is now a Director there!), she has won grants from the Global Fund for Women twice & the Ford Foundation to name a few.
Background Image courtesy: Google maps
the analysis
We split our analyses on Jo Nzerem's work into two parts. The first being her work with Human Angle and the second, her general perspective on women and entrepreneurship and women empowerment.
HUMAN ANGLE
Human Angle is a nonprofit social enterprise that works toward educating men and women about property rights. According to Nigerian law, if a marriage is not registered by law, on the husband’s death, all manners of property reverts to the husband’s family. This is a crippling problem leaving the wife and her children often penniless, homeless and destitute.
Human Angle works on grassroots advocacy, creating awareness about what happens to his family when the man passes on with no will. While the topic of equality of property rights to women is not new, her approach to it has made it a standout organization. From targeting men (instead of just men) and corporates to using drama enactment and skits to get her message through, Jo Nzerem and Human Angle have innovated every step of the way.
The following graphic shows the various factors that have been crucial to Human Angle's success.
(Click on the enlarge button on the top right for the graphic to pop up full screen)
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Nzerem, in addition to her work at Human Angle is also a strong proponent of encouraging women to develop skills to be independent income-earners. From small scale entrepreneurs to social innovators, Nzerem believes being an entrepreneur brings in a certain amount of innovation into their lives in addition to independence and income. This raises their profile, gives them a voice in the family o make decisions and boosts morale.
The following graphic shows some mantras Nzerem believes to be of paramount importance for women, these notions being honed by decades of work and research.
Over several discussions and communication, we have distilled it down to factors she believes most strongly in. Nzerem has been amazing in working with us on this, giving us information when requested and being candid in her comments about several things. (Callouts in Yellow in the graphic below are direct critique from Nzerem)
(Click on the enlarge button on the top right for the graphic to pop up full screen).
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women & entrepreneurship-onward & upward
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