Patience Leonard, PBA Journalism MenteeFemale professors at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) gathered in a round-table discussion to canvass women involvement in active university leadership and national politics.
The Gender and Development Policy Centre (Gen-Cent) of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka organised the event on March 8, 20222 to mark this year’s International women’s day.
Director General for Gen-Cent, Prof. Anthonia Achike disclosed that the discussion was meant to reset the mindset of professors as well as support advocacy for gender mainstreaming.
Moreso, she advised the professors to take advantage of global women struggle to improve their leadership standing in the university.
Keynote speaker, Prof. Edith Nwosu, who is the Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) of the Enugu Campus, during the roundtable discussion, said it was not enough to make policies and laws to encourage women participation. ‘’The problem is the bias of women in participating in leadership.The men bias is what we must break, the solution has to begin with me”, she declared.
Prof Nwosu further argued that women were not created to compete with men but to be unique in their ways and complement the men.
Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Grace Offorma who is also the convener of UNN Female Professors Forum, buttressed the fact that nations with women presidents had proven to be more peaceful and progressive than those governed by the menfolk.
She, however, expressed regrets that bills favouring women participation in leadership were rejected by the National Assembly ‘’Some people value women, while others regard women as pieces of furniture,” she lamented.
She further noted that the 21st century women are not only baby-makers but partners in society building.
In attendance were Professors Florence O. Ezeudu of Science Education, Uche Igbokwe and Esther N. Oluikpe of Arts Education, Tessy Ofoegbu of Arts Education; Anthonia Achike of Gen-Cent, Emeritus Prof. Uche Azikiwe of Educational Foundation and Grace C. Offorma of Arts Education.
Others are Professors Ngozi J. Nwodo of Pharmacy & Medical Chemistry, Rose Osuji of Physics & Astronomy. Also, Nkadi Onyegegegbu of Science Education, Rita Udegbunam of Veterinary Surgery, Ebele Onuigbo of Pharmacy,Julie Ibiam and Ifeoma Ezeonu, among others.
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