The President of the Nigerian Association of University Women (NAUW), Prof. Comfort Onifade, has reiterated that tackling the global gender gap to encourage inclusivity has been found to be capable of boosting global Gross Domestic Product (GDP). She said this in her welcome address during the NAUW Hybrid International Conference with the theme: ‘Gender Inclusivity and Sustainable Development’, held at the New Senate Chamber of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State.
According to her, Mckinsey Global Institute (MGI) in 2022 mapped out 15 indicators of gender equality under work and society, adding that gender equality in society and work are correlated based on MGI’s analysis of 125 countries. Prof. Onifade said while women in advanced economies made large gains as workers, consumers and savers, they are faced with rising cost and insecurity, saying gender gap remain across all regions. The Deputy Director, African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD), Kenya, as the Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB, Prof. Olusola Kehinde said NAUW “is a notable association in the campus”.
The Vice-Chancellor, however, reiterated that the management had not been found wanting in trying to carry along in terms of inclusivity of the women folks in the University. Michele Mbo’o-Tchouawou said social inclusions matter in the quest for sustainable agricultural development in Africa and the world at large. In her lead paper presentation, the President, Graduate Women International (GWI), Switzerland, Dr. Patrice Wellesley-Cole, said the conference was timely as it coincided with the World International Day of the Girl-Child, as they recognised the challenges faced by the girl-child around the world. Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, said they have not just been involved, but they have proved themselves to be capable.