UI Campus Politics: Embracing Gender Equality on International Women’s Day 2023
The annual International Women’s Day is always a special day to reflect, celebrate and appreciate women. It is a day set aside to recognise women’s achievements despite divisions and persisting boundaries. It is a day to acknowledge and honour women around the world for the numerous contributions they make each day to society. It is also a moment to advocate for an end to the plights and travails of girls and women in the country and in our communities. The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”. This theme is aligned with the priority of the United Nations (UN) towards addressing the growing inequalities which are becoming increasingly evident in the context of digital skills and access to technologies, social inequalities, educational and political.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it’s important to recognize that women have historically been underrepresented in leadership roles in Nigeria, and the status quo in campus politics is in no way different. Women continue to face barriers and obstacles in their pursuit of equal representation and access to power in Nigeria, stemming from diverse factors — like cultural stereotype, religious beliefs and patriarchal societal structure. Nigeria has the lowest number of female parliamentarians in sub-Saharan Africa and ranks 133rd in the world for female political representation. Women, despite their population, enjoy less than six per cent representation. Out of the 109 members, only seven female senators and 11 female members in the House of Representatives. Altogether, 18 out of the 469 members of the current ninth National Assembly.
The situation is not different at the University of Ibadan, where about 90% of faculty presidents (out of more than 15 faculties) and 80% of the current UISU executive council members led by Adewole Yinka aka Mascot are male. It is considered strange to see female students running for the position of president at the union or faculty level, with only two men contesting for the UISU presidency in the last election, maintaining the status quo from the previous one as two males also contested. This disparity raises questions about the visibility and ability of female students in the University. The high level of gender disparity will make a casual observer wonder if the female students of the premier University do not consider themselves fit to take main leadership position, as they almost always prefer the vice or deputy.
It is time to break the bias and embrace equality. The discriminatory belief that women are meant to complement men should be jettisoned. Candidates should be appraised based on their ability and capacity, not their gender. Female students are an integral part of the university community, and their voices and perspectives should be represented in campus politics. When women are involved in decision-making processes, they can bring unique insights and experiences to the table, leading to policies and initiatives that are more inclusive and better represent the needs of all students.
Female students should take an active role in campus politics, as it provides an opportunity for them to have their voices heard and their opinions valued. By participating, they can gain valuable leadership and communication skills that will serve them well in their future careers. Active participation also allows them to advocate for issues that are important to them, such as women’s rights, gender equality, and social justice. Moreover, female students who participate in campus politics can become role models for other young women, inspiring them to become more engaged in politics and public service.
Also, active participation in campus politics allows female students to advocate for issues that are important to them. Campus politics often involve issues such as women’s rights, gender equality, and social justice. By taking an active role in these discussions and debates, female students can make a meaningful impact on campus policies and decisions. Moreover, by advocating for these issues, female students can raise awareness and inspire action among their peers, helping to create a more inclusive and equitable campus community.
As we approach the campus electioneering in a few weeks, it is crucial to encourage and support female students to take an active role in campus politics. Their involvement can help to break down gender stereotypes and challenge traditional notions of what leadership looks like. When women are actively involved in decision-making processes, it sends a message that leadership is not limited to men and that women can be just as effective leaders as their male counterparts.
International Women’s Day serves as a reminder that women have an important role to play in shaping the future of their communities and institutions. As we pride ourselves on being learned minds, we must also evolve progressively and welcome progressive interventions as the world is changing progressively. The considerable achievements in gender equality imply that its positive outcomes should flourish within intellectual communities, such as the University of Ibadan.
