The University of Ibadan (UI) has stepped up efforts to combat gender discrimination and promote a safe, inclusive and gender-responsive environment through strengthened implementation of its gender policy.

The university’s Gender Mainstreaming Office (GMO) organised a sensitisation programme for gender focal persons and peer educators drawn from the teaching and non-teaching staff, aimed at translating the policy from a document into practical action across faculties, centres, departments and other units.

The programme featured leading academics, including Professor Stella Odebode, Professor Demola Lewis and Professor Omolade Olomola, alongside the Coordinator of the GMO, Professor Funmi Ajani.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Tunde Arotiba, declared the programme open.

Speaking on “University of Ibadan Gender Policy: From Policy to Practice,” Prof.  Odebode said the university’s commitment to gender sensitivity was rooted in its responsibility to provide opportunities for all members of the university community without discrimination.

She said the policy was designed to integrate gender considerations into teaching, learning, research, employment, governance, welfare, resource mobilisation and community engagement.

According to her, the policy seeks to promote fairness in the distribution of resources and opportunities while addressing discrimination, gender-based violence and other practices capable of undermining the dignity of members of the university community.

Odebode stressed that gender equity should not be treated as an isolated issue but as an institutional responsibility requiring the participation of staff, students, service providers and other stakeholders.

She explained that the policy provides a framework for creating a gender-friendly university where the rights, dignity and integrity of both men and women are respected.

The professor said the policy would also serve as a benchmark for assessing the university’s laws, administrative practices, research, teaching, welfare services and community engagement.

She noted that integrating gender considerations into programme planning and implementation could help the institution tackle challenges relating to campus security, gender-based violence, discrimination and unequal opportunities.

Odebode said the policy applies to staff and students as well as contractors, service providers and other members of the university community.

She identified gender equality, gender equity, gender awareness, gender sensitivity, gender mainstreaming and gender budgeting as key concepts underpinning the policy.

The professor urged the university community to move beyond awareness to practical implementation, saying gender mainstreaming required the assessment of the implications of policies and programmes for both women and men.

She said gender budgeting also required the examination of expenditure and revenue from a gender perspective to ensure that resources were deployed equitably.

On creating a safer campus, Odebode called for adequate lighting, night surveillance services, closed-circuit television cameras at strategic locations, effective counselling and monitoring services, as well as stronger mechanisms for addressing gender-based violence.

She also called for sustained sensitisation of staff and students on mechanisms for reporting and addressing sexual harassment and other forms of gender-related violence.

According to her, security personnel, students’ affairs staff, health workers, wardens, assistant wardens, supervisors, and porters should receive training on gender-sensitive procedures.