The National Association of University Women (NAUW) FUNAAB Chapter celebrated the 2024 International Women’s Day in a splendid event marking the global significance of March 8 as a day to honour the achievements of women in the society.
In his Address at the occasion marking the Day, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde emphasisied the transformative power of empowering women, citing instances where women outshone men in academic and extracurricular endeavours.
Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Development, Prof. Kola Adebayo, the Vice-Chancellor added that there were many documented researches to show that everytime a woman is empowered, nations were empowered.
Highlighting FUNAAB’s dedication to gender equality, the Vice-Chancellor recalled a time when most of the Principal Officers were women, expressing the possibility of a female Vice-Chancellor in the near future.
Speaking to the University women, the Acting Registrar, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Dawodu stated that the theme of this year’s event was apt, urging women to be confident contributors to the society, fostering inclusivity and respect.
In her remarks, the National President of NAUW, Prof. Comfort Onifade, celebrated the resilience and achievements of women globally, advocating for equality, justice, and opportunity for all women.
The event featured a Lecture titled “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,” by Prof. Folake Henshaw who stressed the imperative of gender equality and the 2030 agenda, stating the importance of addressing Sustainable Development Goal 5, which focused on gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.
Discussing the issue of gender equality, Prof. Henshaw, a former Dean, College of Food Science and Human Ecology (COLFHEC) highlighted an alarming global statistics of 30% women who have experienced sexual or physical abuse, including 47,000 women and girls who were killed by male partners in 2020, as well as 2.7 billion women who faced restricted job opportunities and gender-based pay disparities.
Besides, Prof. Henshaw identified various factors hindering gender equality, such as conflicts and crises, which disproportionately affect women and children.
She noted that one in every ten women lives in extreme poverty, 614 million women and girls reside in conflict zones since 2017, and climate change threatens to leave 236 million more women and girls hungry by 2030.
According to her, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges, pushing 75 million more people into poverty, with projections suggesting a rise to 342 million by 2030.
Prof. Henshaw, therefore, stressed the importance of supporting the inclusion of women and girls in all fields of endeavour to accelerate global economic growth.
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Ensuring the rights of women and girls in all aspects of life, she stressed that it was crucial for building a just and sustainable future for generations to come.
She asserted that investing in women would expedite the achievement of healthier, safer, and more equitable societies worldwide, adding that investing in women would accelerate progress, address issues such as gender-based violence, economic disparities, and the impact of crises on women and girls.
Earlier, the President, NAUW, FUNAAB-Chapter, Prof. Emily Ayo-John highlighted the indispensable roles women play in the society, embodying various roles from wife and mother to administrator and artist simultaneously.
Underscoring the socio-economic importance of women, Prof. Ayo-John who is also the Director, Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies (CENTS) stressed the mission of International Women’s Day to combat gender bias, stereotypes, and discrimination, striving for a society that values and celebrates differences.
Tracing the origins of the Day back to the courageous actions of women in New York City in 1911, Prof. Ayo-John reiterated NAUW-FUNAAB’s commitment to initiatives such as supporting girl-child education, women’s empowerment through entrepreneurial skills acquisition, and organising seminars on various topics including health and career development.
Enlightening the members on the importance of permaculture in advancing women’s progress, Dr. Christianah Owolabi outlined its role in promoting sustainable livelihoods and economic empowerment.
The celebration reached its peak with a captivating drama presentation and traditional Ewi performance by FUNAAB Theatre Troupe, adding a touch of cultural richness to the event.
In the meantime, as the festivities concluded, attendees were left with a renewed sense of commitment to supporting and uplifting women in all spheres of life, reaffirming their dedication to building a more equitable and inclusive society.
In commemorating the 2024 International Women’s Day, NAUW FUNAAB chapter demonstrated its unwavering dedication to celebrating the achievements of women and advocating for gender equality, leaving a lasting impression on all who participated in the grand celebration.
By Joy Adeyiga & Femi Dansu
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