By Yemisi Suleiman

The 69th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) became a focal point for transformative dialogue and innovation as Sanicle, a leader in femtech, hosted a landmark 3-in-1 event.

As the master of ceremony, the event was skillfully orchestrated by Biomedical Scientist Ekanem Adeleke, the convergence of the Femtech Hackathon, NOVA Awards, and Beyond Beijing 30 Summit united global leaders to accelerate progress in gender equity, women’s health, and economic empowerment.

Commemorating Progress, Catalyzing Action
Marking 30 years since the Beijing Declaration—a blueprint for women’s rights—the Beyond Beijing 30 Summit at Columbia University’s SIPA convened policy makers, NGOs, and innovators.

Presented by Sanicle and co-hosted by a coalition including UNA-Nigeria, UNESCO Center for Peace, IBTK Foundation, AfricaTech NYC, The Real Studios, Luz Maria Foundation and Femtech Weekend, the summit emphasized policy implementation, health innovation, and cross-sector collaboration.

Hon. Dr. Isata Mahoi (Sierra Leone’s Gender Minister) and Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim (Nigeria’s Women Affairs Minister) underscored national strides, such as Sierra Leone’s 22% education budget and STEM scholarships for girls. “Empowering women isn’t just policy—it’s a moral imperative,” declared Dr. Mahoi.

NOVA Awards: Honoring Trailblazers
The NOVA Awards, sponsored by Sanicle.Cloud and IBTK Foundation, celebrated leaders driving sustainable change. Honorees included Dr. Padmini Murthy (Global Health Director), Rhoda Robinson (HACEY Executive Director), and Mariama Sahid (Youth Advocate), among others.

Hon. Sulaiman-Ibrahim, a recipient, framed the award as a “collective victory for Nigerian women,” stressing the urgency of addressing urban poverty and climate vulnerability. Retired UN Official Hawa Diallo highlighted honorees’ commitments to extending impact beyond 2025, transforming projects into scalable solutions.

Femtech Hackathon: Bridging Health Gaps
The Femtech Hackathon, led by Femtech Weekend, challenged innovators to tackle workplace health disparities through AI and digital tools.

Founder Zhu Yihan emphasized designing inclusive solutions that reflect women’s diverse healthcare experiences, cautioning against algorithmic biases.

Themes like menstrual health and menopause support dominated, aligning with Sanicle.Cloud’s launch—a B2B-G platform combating workplace absenteeism via AI-driven policy tools. “We must transition women from empowerment to positions of power,” asserted Chaste Inegbedion, Sanicle’s Chief Period Officer.

Policy, Technology, and Collaborative Futures
Panels addressed systemic barriers: UNA-Nigeria stressed financial inclusion and equity over equality, while Sanicle.Cloud’s session linked AI to workplace equity.

Councilwoman Roxy Ndebumadu urged policymakers to partner with startups, and Yale’s Cecile Delcuvellerie highlighted health’s role in economic participation. The IBTK Foundation emphasized youth investment and adaptable workforce strategies, while Vivacity’s panel explored AI’s potential in ERGs and climate leadership.

Global Solidarity and Forward Momentum
Seneca Forch of Columbia’s SIPA Pan-African Network rallied for unity: “Progress demands collaboration—lift as we climb.”

The event concluded with plans to present outcomes at the 2025 World Bank Spring Meetings and UNGA80, shifting focus from temporary fixes to sustainable investment in women’s health, leadership, and economic inclusion.

A Call to Sustain Momentum
Ekanem Adeleke, reflecting on Beijing’s 30-year legacy, questioned, “What has truly changed?” Her resolve echoed through the summit: progress demands relentless action. With male allies like her husband acknowledged, and platforms like Sanicle.Cloud rising, CSW69’s events reaffirmed that technology, policy, and collective will can dismantle barriers—ushering in an era where women’s biological processes no longer hinder their potential.

As Tolulope Lewis-Tamoka (UN Global Compact) noted, gender equality is the bedrock of sustainability. By merging innovation with equity, Sanicle’s trifecta at CSW69 illuminated a path forward—one where women’s health and leadership are non-negotiable pillars of global development.

Further recognition was bestowed upon Elizabeth Chen, a Diplomat for the World Jewish Congress and Director of Dedimus Potestatem; Dr. Andrise Bass, the Founder of the Humanitarian Focus Foundation and the Institute of Public Policy & Diplomacy Research (IPPDR); Oluwatoyin Maria Omolola, the Founder of DSI International Inc., providing crucial integration and advocacy services to immigrants; Gbenga Akingbulere, a talented Software Engineer at Palo Alto Networks, known for developing innovative AI-powered fraud detection systems that are fortifying financial security across Africa; Abisoye Oloruntoba, a highly experienced Software Engineering Manager with over 20 years in fintech, leading major technology transformations at prominent institutions like JPMorgan, Wells Fargo, and Affirm; and Ambassador Shāna Boutté, an award-winning transpersonal mental health professional and advocate, who has received multiple Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awards from President Biden, the AmeriCorps National Humanitarian Gold Award, and has been featured in Marquis Who’s Who.

Also honored were Gail Davvis-Carter, the Founder of TheCreators2030, inspired by her impactful volunteer work with UNDP in 1998; Dr. Dior Fall, the esteemed President and Founder of 1000 Shades of Women International; Saleah Blancaflor, a talented TV reporter at ADWEEK; Luz Maria Utrera, a dedicated UN Women Champion for Change, accomplished actress, and the Founder of Fundación Luz María, along with other distinguished personalities making significant global contributions.