Representing the Institut de Diplomatie Publique at the United Nations in Geneva: Championing Women’s Health and Empowerment

Raising awareness of period poverty, advocating international cooperation and building partnerships for meaningful change.

I was honoured and privileged to serve as a delegate of the Institut de Diplomatie Publique at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, in October 2026.

Being at the United Nations was a memorable and rewarding experience, providing an opportunity to engage with international discussions, exchange ideas and contribute to conversations addressing important global challenges.

One of the issues I was particularly keen to bring to the attention of the international community was period poverty and the affordability and accessibility of menstrual products.

Advocating for women’s health and dignity

During my intervention at the United Nations, I highlighted the challenges women and girls face in accessing affordable menstrual products. Although progress has been made in providing free menstrual products in certain public facilities and institutions, access remains inconsistent, and many women and girls still struggle to afford these essential products.

Menstruation is a natural and recurring biological reality. Yet, the products required to manage it safely and with dignity remain an ongoing financial burden for many.

I emphasised that no woman or girl should have to choose between purchasing essential menstrual products and meeting other basic needs.

Drawing from my experience mentoring more than 500 women through Young Women in Science, Engineering and Technology (YWISET), the majority of whom are from the Global South, I highlighted the importance of listening to women’s experiences and recognising the practical barriers affecting their health, dignity, education and participation in everyday life.

I called for stronger international cooperation involving governments, international organisations, the private sector and civil society. I also emphasised the need for sustainable financing measures, including subsidies, reduced prices and free provision for those most in need.

My message was clear: access to essential menstrual products should not be determined by a woman’s financial circumstances or geographical location.

A meaningful encounter and potential collaboration

One of the highlights of my time at the United Nations was meeting Dr. Eva Skulteti, Secretary General of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hajdú-Bihar County, Hungary.

Following my intervention, Dr. Skulteti approached me and expressed her interest in becoming involved in efforts to support women and girls.

I was particularly encouraged by her enthusiasm and willingness to explore practical ways of addressing period poverty. Our conversation developed into further communication, during which she shared some initial ideas and a proposal for possible collaboration.

I was delighted by this encounter. It was encouraging to meet someone who not only recognised the importance of the issue but was also interested in exploring ways to translate the conversation into practical action.

I am genuinely grateful to Dr. Skulteti for her warmth, openness and interest in this cause. I look forward to reviewing her proposal, contributing my thoughts and continuing our discussions about possible areas of collaboration.

This encounter reinforced my belief that international gatherings provide valuable opportunities to build relationships and partnerships that can help transform important conversations into practical initiatives.

The work behind the advocacy: Young Women in Science, Engineering and Technology

My advocacy for women’s empowerment is rooted in my longstanding commitment to supporting women and girls.

Through Young Women in Science, Engineering and Technology (YWISET), I have mentored more than 500 women, encouraging their educational, professional and personal development. The initiative has also supported women through scholarships, mentoring, essay-writing activities and other empowerment opportunities.

Working with women from different backgrounds has strengthened my understanding that empowerment goes beyond access to education and professional opportunities. Health, dignity, economic independence and access to essential resources are equally important.

This is why I am interested in broadening conversations around women’s empowerment to include practical interventions addressing the everyday challenges women and girls face.

Menstrual health and access to affordable menstrual products deserve particular attention because they affect women’s wellbeing, dignity and ability to participate fully in society.

International cooperation: Turning conversations into action

My experience at the United Nations reinforced the importance of international cooperation in addressing challenges that affect women and girls across national boundaries.

Governments, international organisations, businesses, civil society organisations and individuals all have important roles to play in developing sustainable solutions.

By bringing together expertise, resources and shared commitment, international partnerships can help expand access to essential products, support vulnerable communities and create opportunities for lasting change.

I believe there is considerable scope for collaboration across sectors and national borders, particularly in developing practical initiatives that reach women who need support the most.

Looking ahead

Serving as a delegate of the Institut de Diplomatie Publique at the United Nations in Geneva was an important milestone in my journey as an educator, mentor and advocate for women’s empowerment.

I am grateful for the opportunity to raise an issue that matters deeply to me, engage with people from different professional and national backgrounds, and establish connections that may lead to meaningful collaboration.

I look forward to building on these conversations and exploring initiatives that can improve the lives of women and girls, particularly through greater access to affordable menstrual products and other essential resources.

Women’s dignity, health and empowerment should never depend on their financial circumstances or geographical location. These are issues that deserve attention, commitment and collective action.

The journey from dialogue to impact begins when people are willing to listen, collaborate and act.

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Professor Ngozi Franca Okoye
Founder, Young Women in Science, Engineering and Technology (YWISET)

Attending the United Nations Social Forum in Geneva as a Delegate of the Institute for Public Diplomacy London

I am pleased to announce that I will be travelling to Geneva, Switzerland, to attend the 2026 United Nations Human Rights Council Social Forum as a delegate representing the Institute for Public Diplomacy London on 29–30 October 2026.

This year’s Forum will focus on the role of international cooperation and solidarity in advancing the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.

I look forward to engaging with international stakeholders on issues at the intersection of health diplomacy, human rights and global cooperation, contributing to meaningful dialogue and exchanging perspectives on the challenges and opportunities shaping the international health agenda.

I consider this an important opportunity to represent the Institute’s engagement in international affairs and to support constructive dialogue towards a more equitable, inclusive and rights-based approach to global health.

A Heartfelt Thank You to the Media for Celebrating My Historic Sigma Xi Board Candidacy

By Professor Lady Ngozi Franca Okoye

I am deeply grateful to the newspapers, online publications, journalists, editors, and media organisations that have taken an interest in my candidacy for the Sigma Xi Board of Directors.

Over the past few days, I have been humbled and delighted by the coverage, messages of goodwill, congratulations, and conversations that have followed the announcement of my candidacy. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to every media organisation that has helped share this important milestone with the public.

My gratitude goes to PUNCH, Pioneer Progressive Herald, and the many other news outlets and digital publications that have reported on, shared, or highlighted my candidacy. Every publication and every act of sharing has helped bring greater visibility to this significant moment in my professional journey.

I am standing for Full Directorship on the Sigma Xi Board of Directors, representing the Canadian/International Constituency. My candidacy marks a historic milestone: I am the first African woman and the first Nigerian to contest this position.

Sigma Xi is an internationally recognised scientific research honour society with a distinguished history of advancing scientific excellence. To be a candidate for its Board of Directors is both a professional honour and an opportunity to contribute to the future of an organisation with a global scientific community.

Throughout my career, I have been committed to scientific research, academic leadership, mentorship, and the advancement of women in science, engineering, and technology. Through my work and the initiatives I have supported, I have sought to create opportunities for others, strengthen international connections, and encourage more women to participate in scientific leadership.

The media coverage surrounding this candidacy has given me an opportunity to share that journey with a wider audience, particularly in Nigeria and across Africa. I am especially pleased that this milestone has generated conversations about Nigerian achievement, women’s leadership, scientific contribution, and international representation.

To the journalists who took the time to prepare these stories, the editors who made room for them, the publications that carried them, and the readers who have shared them: thank you.

I also appreciate everyone who has sent a message, made a telephone call, shared a photograph, reposted an article, or offered words of encouragement. Your goodwill has made this experience memorable.

For me, this journey is meaningful beyond the outcome of the election. The opportunity to stand for this position, represent an international constituency, and open a new chapter in representation is already a milestone I will always value.

As I look ahead to the November 2026 election, I remain grateful for the opportunity, mindful of the responsibility, and committed to the principles of scientific excellence, inclusion, mentorship, and international collaboration.

Thank you for helping tell this story.

With sincere appreciation,

Professor Lady Ngozi Franca Okoye
Professor of Biochemistry | Software Engineer | Academic and Science Leader
Founder, Young Women in Science, Engineering and Technology (YWISET)

Making History: Professor Ngozi Franca Okoye Enters the Sigma Xi Board of Directors Election

A Nigerian-born scientist based in the United Kingdom, Professor Ngozi Franca Okoye is officially standing for election to the Sigma Xi Board of Directors — Full Directorship, representing the Canadian/International Constituency, in the November 2026 election.

There are moments in life when the significance of an opportunity is bigger than the outcome.

For me, this is one of those moments.

I am honoured to have been nominated and officially listed as a candidate for the Sigma Xi Board of Directors — Full Directorship, representing the Canadian/International Constituency.

I am one of the final two candidates contesting this Full Directorship.

For me, the historic significance of this moment is already clear: I am the first African woman and the first Nigerian to stand for election to this Sigma Xi Director position.

That history has already been made.

A long connection with Sigma Xi

My candidacy also builds on my previous involvement with Sigma Xi.

I have previously served within the organisation, including through the Committee on Nominations, and I have also served on the Global Outreach Committee.

Sigma Xi, founded at Cornell University in 1886, has a long history of recognising and supporting scientific achievement and leadership. Its membership has included many distinguished scientists, including Nobel Prize winners.

To now stand as an official candidate for its Board of Directors is therefore a deeply meaningful milestone in my own scientific and professional journey.

A Nigerian and African story

I am particularly proud of the fact that this candidacy carries a Nigerian and African dimension.

I was born in Nigeria and am now based in the United Kingdom. My professional journey has taken me through engineering, science, technology, academia, leadership and community service.

Before my current leadership responsibilities, I worked as a Systems and Software Engineer at British Telecommunications (BT) and as a Data Migration Scientist at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). I also spent 16 years in the university sector.

Today, I serve as a Director and Trustee of a UK educational trust, alongside my other professional and community commitments.

For me, this candidacy is therefore not simply about one election. It is another chapter in a journey of service, leadership and participation.

Enjoying the journey

I have decided to approach this campaign with gratitude and perspective.

Of course, I would be delighted to be elected. If that happens, it would create another historic chapter and give me the opportunity to serve on the Sigma Xi Board of Directors.

But I do not believe that the value of this experience depends entirely on the result.

History has already been made.

I have already become an official candidate.

My name is already part of the 2026 Sigma Xi election record.

That cannot be taken away by the outcome of the vote.

If I am elected, another history will be made.

If I am not, the first history remains: a Nigerian woman, an African woman, stood for this international scientific leadership position.

That is something I am proud of.

More than an election

I see this moment as an opportunity to encourage other scientists, particularly Africans and Nigerians, to see themselves in spaces where important decisions about science and scientific leadership are being made.

Representation matters.

Participation matters.

And sometimes the most important step is simply being willing to put your name forward.

My message to anyone watching this journey is simple:

Do not be afraid to step forward.

You may not know what the final outcome will be. You may not know whether you will be selected, elected or appointed.

But by stepping forward, you create possibilities that did not exist before.

That is what I have chosen to do.

Looking ahead

The Sigma Xi election will take place in November 2026, with the successful candidate beginning a three-year term on July 1, 2027.

Until then, I intend to enjoy the experience, embrace the journey and make the most of this incredible opportunity.

Whatever happens at the ballot box, I will be grateful that I stepped forward.

Because history has already been made.

And perhaps, if the opportunity comes, another chapter of history will be written.

Professor Ngozi Franca Okoye
United Kingdom
Candidate for Sigma Xi Board of Directors — Full Directorship
Canadian/International Constituency
October 2026

Regular Engagement at OECD Policy Forums

I regularly attend OECD policy forums and international summits as a delegate representing the Institute for Public Diplomacy. These engagements include discussions on disinformation, information integrity, and anti-corruption, bringing together policymakers, institutional leaders, and experts from across governments and civil society.

Through consistent participation in these OECD platforms, I engage with evolving global policy debates on governance, transparency, and democratic resilience. Each summit offers an opportunity to exchange perspectives on how institutions can respond to emerging challenges such as digital manipulation, institutional trust deficits, and corruption risks in increasingly interconnected systems.

What makes these forums particularly valuable is their emphasis on practical cooperation. Rather than abstract discussion, OECD events focus on shared policy approaches, cross-border coordination, and strengthening institutional frameworks that support accountability and public trust.

Regular attendance has also provided deeper insight into how different countries approach similar governance challenges, and how international collaboration can support more effective and transparent systems. The conversations consistently highlight that issues such as information integrity and anti-corruption are not isolated policy areas, but interconnected pillars of democratic stability.

As part of my ongoing engagement, I continue to follow and contribute to discussions that shape global thinking on governance, public diplomacy, and institutional resilience within OECD-led initiatives.

Empowering the Next Generation of Women in STEM: The Mission of YWISET. Official website: https://ywiset.org/

In a rapidly evolving world driven by science and technology, the need for inclusive innovation has never been greater. YWISET (Young Women in Science, Engineering and Technology) stands at the forefront of this movement, dedicated to inspiring and empowering young women and underrepresented individuals to pursue careers in STEM fields.

Founded in 2017 by Professor Lady Ngozi Franca Okoye, YWISET was created with a clear vision: to make science, engineering, and technology more accessible, inclusive, and inspiring for all. At its core, the organisation seeks to bridge the gender gap in STEM while ensuring that talent and curiosity—rather than background or circumstance—define opportunity.

YWISET achieves this mission through a range of impactful programmes. These include workshops, mentorship schemes, essay competitions, conferences, and scholarship opportunities designed to nurture both academic growth and personal development. By offering real-world exposure and guidance from experienced professionals, the organisation helps young people build confidence and discover their potential in fields often seen as inaccessible.

A key strength of YWISET lies in its community-driven approach. With a growing international network of members, volunteers, and partners, the organisation fosters collaboration between students, educators, and professionals across STEM industries. This global community not only supports learning but also encourages leadership, innovation, and peer-to-peer inspiration.

Importantly, YWISET recognises that representation matters. By actively encouraging participation from disadvantaged backgrounds and underrepresented groups, it helps ensure that the future of STEM is more diverse and equitable. The organisation also highlights the real-world benefits of STEM education, from career opportunities to solving global challenges in health, technology, and sustainability.

Beyond education, YWISET is building a movement—one that challenges traditional barriers and redefines who gets to be a scientist, engineer, or innovator. Its work continues to inspire a new generation of thinkers who are not only skilled in science and technology, but also conscious of their responsibility to society.

As STEM continues to shape the future, YWISET’s mission remains clear: empower, educate, and elevate young women to lead that future with confidence and purpose. Official website: https://ywiset.org/

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Professor Lady Ngozi Franca Okoye was featured in Pioneer Progressive Herald as a Pioneer Trailblazing Woman.

Reflections from the OECD Anti-Corruption & Integrity Forum

I am currently attending the OECD Anti-Corruption & Integrity Forum as a delegate of the Institute of Public Diplomacy London, and the experience has been both energising and deeply reflective.

The President of Dominican Republic and the Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand gave the opening speeches after the welcome remark by the Secretary General of the OECD. Several other world leaders made speeches.

One of the most striking aspects of the Forum is the shared recognition that corruption is not just a governance issue—it is a barrier to sustainable development, climate action, and public trust. Across discussions, a consistent theme has emerged: integrity is not an abstract principle, but a practical foundation for effective policy.

As someone working at the intersection of public diplomacy and climate education, I have been particularly interested in how anti-corruption frameworks relate to climate governance. Climate initiatives—whether financing, adaptation, or mitigation—depend heavily on transparency, accountability, and institutional trust. Without these, even the most ambitious climate strategies risk falling short.

This perspective has directly informed my recent work in developing a climate change course for the Institute, aimed at equipping individuals with both the knowledge and the ethical awareness needed to engage with global challenges responsibly.

What stands out most at the Forum is the importance of collaboration—between governments, academia, and civil society. Tackling corruption and strengthening integrity systems requires not only technical solutions, but also a cultural commitment to accountability.

Defending Information Integrity: Reflections From the OECD Paris Summit on Disinformation

In November 2023, I attended the OECD Summit in Paris on disinformation and information integrity as a delegate representing the Institute for Public Diplomacy. The summit brought together policymakers, diplomats, academics, and digital governance experts to address a challenge that is increasingly shaping the stability of modern democracies: the erosion of trust in information itself.

What stood out throughout the discussions was a shared recognition that disinformation is no longer a marginal communications issue. It has become a structural challenge to governance, public trust, and democratic resilience. The conversations consistently moved beyond theory into practical questions of institutional preparedness, cross-border coordination, and the evolving role of technology platforms.

Keynote contributions from senior leaders such as Giedrė Balčytytė, Chancellor of the Government of Lithuania, and Eileen Donahoe, U.S. Special Envoy and Coordinator for Digital Freedom, reinforced two important perspectives. First, that disinformation must be understood within the broader context of national and democratic security. Second, that protecting open societies requires balancing information integrity with fundamental freedoms such as expression and access to information.

A recurring theme was that governments cannot address this challenge in isolation. The nature of digital ecosystems means that disinformation moves rapidly across borders, platforms, and communities. As a result, responses must be coordinated, adaptive, and grounded in collaboration between states, technology actors, and civil society.

The summit also highlighted the growing importance of institutional resilience. Several ministers and senior officials, including Mathias Cormann (Secretary-General of the OECD), Juliane Seifert (Germany’s Federal Ministry of the Interior), Anne-Claire Legendre (France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs), and Baiba Braže of Latvia, contributed to discussions on how governments can strengthen strategic communication, public trust, and societal awareness.

What became increasingly clear is that information integrity is not only about correcting falsehoods. It is about building systems that are capable of sustaining trust over time. This includes media literacy, transparency in digital governance, and proactive communication that helps citizens navigate complex information environments.

From a public diplomacy perspective, the summit reinforced an important shift: influence in the modern era is not defined only by messaging, but by credibility. Trust has become a form of strategic infrastructure.

Equally significant was the recognition that artificial intelligence and rapidly evolving digital tools are accelerating both the scale and sophistication of information manipulation. This adds urgency to the need for international cooperation and ethical frameworks that can keep pace with technological change.

Attending the summit underscored a broader reality. Disinformation is not simply a technical challenge to be solved by regulation or platforms alone. It is a societal challenge that touches education, governance, communication, and civic responsibility.

Ultimately, the OECD discussions pointed to a central truth: the strength of democratic systems is closely tied to the integrity of the information they rely on. Defending that integrity is no longer optional—it is foundational to the future of public trust and democratic stability.