By Olasunkanmi Olajide & Femi Dansu
The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), on January 8, 2025, held the 18th edition of its Webinar series, with the theme: “Fostering Gender Responsiveness in Higher Educational Institutions for a Vibrant Research and Development Future.”
The session featured a thought-provoking presentation by Prof. Petra Abdulsalam-Saghir, Head of the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development (AERD), College of Agricultural Management and Rural Development (COLAMRUD) who underscored the critical role of gender responsiveness in advancing research and promoting inclusivity in higher education.
Prof. Abdulsalam-Saghir, in her presentation, stressed that fostering gender equity enhances learning outcomes, diversity, and institutional accountability while ensuring that research outputs benefit all. She emphasised the need for an inclusive research culture that nurtures innovation and equality.
Highlighting challenges such as cultural and societal barriers, gender bias in recruitment and promotion, and harassment, Prof. Abdulsalam-Saghir identified solutions, including policy reforms, targeted training, mentorship programmes, and institutional commitment to equity.
She proposed actionable strategies for creating a gender-responsive culture in higher education institutions. These include conducting gender audits, implementing comprehensive gender policies, adopting inclusive language in institutional documents, and engaging stakeholders through training and mentorship initiatives.
Prof. Abdulsalam-Saghir also emphasised the importance of expanding gender-responsive initiatives, strengthening partnerships, and applying a gender equity lens to address global challenges. She called for national and international collaboration to establish an inclusive environment that supports vibrant research and development.
She, therefore, highlighted gender responsiveness as a pivotal factor in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4, 5, 8, and 17, urging higher institutions to commit to addressing barriers and fostering equity for a transformative future in research and education.
