Theresa Uduego Nworah Receives Honor for Women's Empowerment

As part of activities marking the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) in the United States, distinguished women with notable records of achievement were honored in the second edition of EMPTISTORY OF ESTEEMED WOMEN. The publication was unveiled during a UNGA 81 side event focused on First Ladies and their role in high-level forums.

Edited by Prof. Adaeze Juni Menakaya and Dr. Prescila Juwah, the second edition recognized the late Hon. Theresa Uduego Nworah for her contributions to the Omabala region, which comprises six council areas in Anambra State, Nigeria.

Nworah was a pioneering Nigerian political leader, educator and advocate for gender equality and women’s empowerment. Her work and public service earned her recognition as a prominent figure in the history and development of the Omabala region.

Key Highlights:

• Theresa Uduego Nworah was honored for her contributions to women’s empowerment and education
• Nworah became the first elected female councilor in the Omabala area
• The compendium features about five accomplished women from different countries

In the mid-eighties she emerged as a champion by breaking gender and social barriers to become the first elected female Councillor in the entire Omabala area representing umunya at otuocha headquarters of the council area.

She ran in a nonparty election as an independent and beat the men she ran against, women were very few in the politics arena then, hence her nickname is iron lady.

Her life touched many people and her legacy was one of courage, being a dynamic entrepreneur, a teacher and a mentor.

The change in Nworah's advocacy was more than just talk, it happened in the form of practical programs in the community that changed the lives of rural women.

While unveiling the compendium with the image of Nworah on the front page, one of the editors of the book, Menakaya, the Deputy Permanent Observer, Mission of the Pan African Intergovernmental Agency on Water and Sanitation for Africa to the United Nations, described late Nworah as a mentor.

She said Nworah inspired her by providing the needed support that propelled her to attained great heights in the academic realm.

“Nworah was a grade two teacher but made significant contributions to the growth of education in omabala area which led to the establishment of commercial schools and vocational training centers, affording young people the rare privilege of acquiring practical experience in home economics and entrepreneurship," she added.

About five women from different countries of the world were featured in the second Edition of the EMPTISTORY OF ESTEEMED WOMEN. The first edition was in 2024, the third will be published in 2028.

The publications stem from the UN Women celebration of Beijing+25 in 2020, when the Africana women working group, a group of Ecosoc accredited NGOs at the UN, recognized the critical need for gender issues to be on the agenda and ordered a gender priority strategy.