By Marvis Osiobe-Eterigho
The Director of the Directorate of Gender and Development Studies of Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, Dr. (Mrs) Justina Oboreh has said Gender equity is not just a matter of justice, fairness but about ensuring that everyone regardless of gender have access to the same opportunities and resources to attain height in life.
Dr. Oboreh stated this yesterday at Ozoro during the maiden conference organized by the Directorate of Gender and Development Studies at the University main auditorium.
The conference tagged: ‘Promoting Gender Equity and Development: Empowering Women and Fostering Community Engagement’ was convened by the Director of the Directorate of Gender and Development Studies, Dr. Justina Oboreh.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Justina said that equity is a necessary strategy for sustainable development.
According to her, when women are empowered, they contribute meaningfully to economic growth and political stability of the society. “Community engagement is the lifeblood of gender equity. Communities can become agents of governance through dialogue, participation and shared responsibilities.”
Speaking at the event, Dr. Justina said that equity is a necessary strategy for sustainable development, adding that Gender equity is not just a matter of justice. Gender equity is not just about fairness. It is about ensuring that everyone regardless of gender have access to the same opportunities and resources to attain height.”
The Director stated further that “when women are empowered, they contribute meaningfully to economic growth and political stability of the society”.
She underscored the relevance of Gender equity that “Community engagement is the lifeblood of gender equity. Communities can become agents of governance through dialogue, participation and shared responsibilities.”
She further stated that in Nigerian politics, female participation is low using Delta State as an example having just two females at the House of Assembly.
Speaking also, Dr. Juliet Alex-Nmecha, the Librarian of Rivers State University, Port Harcourt said “we are the cause of gender inequality. This is because we assigned some specific roles to a specific gender. “Another factor was that we have gotten used to the ‘male domineering syndrome’.
She however encouraged everyone not to be afraid. “We are in this together”, she added.
She therefore appealed to Dr. Justina Oboreh to carry everyone along. “Today you happen to be the wife of the Vice Chancellor. There are women in this place. Your position now is to lift them”.
Dignitaries who were present at the event are Her Excellency (Mrs) Tobore Oborevwori who was represented by Her Excellency, Catherine Onyeme , Prof. Jacob S. Oboreh, the Vice Chancellor of DSUST, Prof. Stella Chiemeke, the Vice Chancellor of UNIDEL, Agbor. Others are HRM Othuke Murphy Urugbezi, the Ovie of Ellu Kingdom, Engr. Chief Daniel Omoyibo amongst others.
The highlights of the event were drama presentation by a group of students and presentation of awards
