EKITI STATE UNIVERSITY (EKSU) GENDER EQUITY INITIAVE

In fulfillment of JKF-1 campaign promises of gender equality, JKF through its state supported establishment of a gender center at Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti. To compliment this efforts, the then Vice chancellor Prof. P.O Aina developed a strategic plan from 2014 to 2018 which drove the process of gender mainstreaming in the university. The document serves as guide and re-evaluation tool for attainment of EKSU vision of becoming a 21st century world class institution. Within two years, the EKSU gender centre was fully in place, running a twin track post-graduate programme i.e., Gender and Development Studies at post graduate diploma (PGD); M.Sc and Ph.D level and Social Work at PGD; MSc and PhD level. During 2010-2014, JKF was able to;

1. Create a gender advocacy support visit by the first lady (Erelu Bisi Fayemi) to EKSU (June 3, 2013), showing a rare government support for gender based violence in its institutions.
2. Instituted capacity building workshops on gender pedagogies to fast track the adoption of gender as a cross cutting issue among academic programmes.
3. Creates gender awareness and sensitization workshops with Ekiti State secondary school teachers and students
4. Strengthening of gender research with TETFund research grants for collaborative studies coordinates by the centre
5. Up-graded facilities for the Centre for Gender and Development Studies including an expansive three- storey building and IT facilities.
6. Mainstreaming gender into the university administrative processes and learning environment.
7. Entered into an international collaborations with the centre: the centre, through the university signed an MOU with the University of East Finland for collaborative research in social work and related academic fields with support for student /staff exchanges.

 

1. Development of EKSU Gender Policy and Sexual Harassment Guideline.

In line with the GEWE (Gender Equality and Women Empowerment) in Ekiti, fellows of the centre are now constituted across the various department and faculties in the university, also with a standing steering committee reflecting the various academic interests in the institution. Importantly, the EKSU gender centre has a mandate to impact to various institution in the state the principle of GEWE as well as social inclusion whereby no one or gender is left behind in the state development process.