The Center for Gender Studies (CGS) at Bayero University Kano (BUK) partnered with the Center for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) to host an International Women’s Day event on Wednesday.
The celebration, held at BUK’s New Campus, featured the unveiling of policy briefs and a new book.
Dr. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, Director of CGS, emphasized the importance of supporting women in achieving their full potential. She highlighted the center’s role in using research to improve the lives of men, women, and girls, and its commitment to working with others to address gender issues.
Dr. Ahmad also announced the launch of a book examining gender and digital marginalization in Nigeria.
Ambassador Safiya Nuhu, a lecturer at BUK’s Department of Public Law and former Nigerian Ambassador to Romania, presented a talk titled “The Imperative of Mainstreaming Gender for National Development.” Her presentation included a World Bank statistic revealing that only 47% of Nigerian women participate in the workforce. Ambassador Nuhu further outlined the economic, social, and educational benefits of women’s empowerment.
Hajiya Mairo Bello, the event’s chairperson and Executive Director of Adolescent Health and Information Projects (AHIP), delivered the keynote address. She encouraged women to develop their skills and assets, criticizing the societal pressure that discourages women’s education.
Hajiya Zainab Aminu, a gender expert at CITAD, discussed a training program for 25 women on gender digital analysis. She advocated for government agencies and NGOs to prioritize digital inclusion through policies and collaboration with lawmakers to advance proposed gender-related legislation.
Professors Sulaiman Yar’adua and Auwal Halilu, alongside Maryam Ibrahim and Fatima Mahmud, all participants, commended the event for its focus on women’s empowerment.
