Centre

About – Center for Gender, Youth and Child Development

About Us

VISION

The vision of the Centre is to create an environment where gender mainstreaming is ensured, human rights are respected, unconscious bias is eliminated and child development is sustained within the University, its catchment communities and Nigeria at large.

MISSION

The Centre is to promote equal participation of women, men, youths and children at all social, economic and educational levels by increasing public awareness and promoting advocacy with policy makers.

Objectives of the Center are summarized below:

  1. Ensure gender equality and reduce gender inequalities in all spheres in the University.
  2. Promote policies which does not support discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, employment status, disability, family status, marital status, health status, age and religious belief.
  3. Ensure decent work for economic growth and proper working environment for all, irrespective of gender.
  4. Create opportunities for accessing education and reducing the number of children who drop out from school in the University catchment areas and beyond.
  5. Eliminate all forms of Gender base violence and violence against Women and Girls.
  6. Reduce poverty and minimize hunger in communities around the University through community-based programmes, trainings and empowerment.
  7. Ensure social inclusion of persons with disabilities in all the University activities.
  8. Promote programs that will improve good health and well-being of staff and students of the University community
  9. Develop strategies for tackling sexual exploitation against women and men; child labour, trafficking and other forms of abuses;
  10. Canvass for the establishment of Institute for gender studies in the University
  11. Collaborate and partner with International organizations/Agencies, Federal and State parastatals, Private companies, NGOs and Civil societies in gender and child development programs.

IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES

  1. Conduct gender- responsive research and child development studies.
  2. Train/ build capacities for youths and women to acquire skills that will give them a measure of independence and self-actualization.
  3. Carry out seminars, workshop and conferences on Gender affairs and child development.
  4. Organize rallies to enlighten the society on gender matters and policies.
  5. Convene meetings to push for Gender Relations, Child Development and increase integration of women’s empowerment programs.
  6. Initiate pilot schemes to be emulated by women co-operatives.
  7. Mobilization of relevant government ministries, agencies, NGOs to support positive gender policy and abolition of obnoxious customs and traditions inimical to the feminine gender.
  8. Sensitization of women in all spheres on gender equality and equity through town hall meetings.
  9. Organize value re-orientation and enlightenment programmes for children

CORE VALUES

  1. Integrity and respect for all gender especially women and girls
  2. Adequate protection for the Nigerian child
  3. Transparent in dealing with gender issues.
  4. Innovative and creativity in solving gender related problems.
  5. Promote teamwork in gender issues.
  6. Collaborate with organizations and Agents with similar visions, missions and objectives on gender matters.

Past Directors of CGCD

1. Dr. Georgina . I. Edeoga Pioneer Ag. Director July 2012- January 2016
2. Prof. Adanma Sabina Eyisi Director January 2016- January 2019
3. Prof. Nnenna Ibiam Director January 2019- January 2022

Recent Activities

1. Education of women in Umuosoko Awomukwu, Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State on compost production using waste materials from their homes and farms. This initiative aimed to help them produce soil inputs that enhance soil fertility, especially given the high cost of inorganic fertilizers. It also promoted cleanliness in their homes and community by converting waste into valuable resources. This activity was carried out in collaboration with Hope for Farmers, Women and Girls Initiatives on 20th March 2026 https://nationalambassadorngr.com/prof-onwuka-leads-waste-to-wealth-training-for-abia-women-farmers/

2. Capacity building for women in Umudike Ukwu and Umudike Autonomous Communities on soil fertility management and biochar production, conducted on 8th May 2025. https://nationalambassadorngr.com/varsity-don-prof-onwuka-empowers-rural-women-distributes-agric-inputs-food-items-others/ https://leadership.ng/varsity-centre-advocates-rural-empowerment-to-meet-sdgs/

3. A workshop was held on 17th March for female student leaders at MOUAU, focusing on a Call for Action Against Sexual Harassment. The presentation included a lecture titled: “Take Action and Amplify Their Voices: The Untold Stories of Young Women.” https://nationalambassadorngr.com/cgycd-mouau-holds-workshop-calls-for-action-against-sexual-harassment/

4. The Center marked the International Day for the Girl Child. Invest in the Girl Child, Stop Child Marriage Now – Expert, Prof Onwuka Urges Parents (22nd October 2024) https://nationalambassadorngr.com/invest-in-the-girl-child-stop-child-marriage-now-expert-prof-onwuka-urges-parents/

5. A workshop was held for women leaders from the host communities of the University on 24th July 2024, focusing on the peaceful resolution of conflicts at home, community, and national levels, with a view to achieving progress and sustainable development across all sectors. The lecture was titled: “Leading Women’s Organizations: Strategies for Fostering Community Peace and Development”. https://nationalambassadorngr.com/cgycd-mouau-holds-workshop-sues-for-peace-devt-in-communities/ https://eagleswatchonline.com.ng/cgycd-mouau-holds-workshop-sues-for-peace-devt-in-communities

6. A one-day training on home gardening with the theme ‘Acts of growing Healthy Crops in Home and Micro Gardens’ organized by Center for Gender, Youth and Child Development, on the 6th of May 2024. This training was in line with the Center’s efforts to play part in helping the world achieve SDGs 2 and 6, in line with the Center’s objectives. https://nationalambassadorngr.com/smart-agric-mouau-trains-farmers-urban-peri-urban-on-home-and-micro-garden/
https://gistonline.ng/2024/05/14/smart-agric-mouau-trains-farmers-urban-peri-urban-on-home-and-micro-garden/

7. A three-day farmers’ training program on Farming Entrepreneurship organized by Center for Entrepreneurship Development in collaboration with Center for Gender, Youth and Child Development, MOUAU held at Amuda Women Development Center Isuochi, Umunneochi L.G.A, Abia State from 30th April to 2nd May 2024

8Training farmers on techniques for improving soil fertility, healthy crop production, and family nutrition. Held on 19th April 2024 at Bende Local Government Area, Abia State. The training was aimed to training farmers on various ways they can improve their soil fertility to boost crop yields. At the end of training biochar organic fertilizer and food items were freely distributed to the farmers.
https://gistonline.ng/2024/05/01/varsity-don-prof-onwuka-takes-campaign-against-hunger-poverty-to-abia-community-distributes-farm-inputs-palliatives/

9. The Center joined the world on the 6th of February to mark the 2024 International Day of Zero tolerance to Genital Mutilation
https://gistonline.ng/2024/02/06/varsity-don-prof-onwuka-bemoans-female-genital-mutilation-in-nigeria/
https://leadership.ng/nigerias-female-genital-mutilation-19-9m-figure-worrisome/

10. Celebration of the 2023 International Day for the Girl Child
https://nationalambassadorngr.com/2023-intl-girl-child-day-prof-mabel-onwuka-advocates-for-more-attention-for-the-girl-child/

11. Training of Abia Women on Biochar production to mark the 2023 International Day for the Rural Women
https://nationalambassadorngr.com/intl-day-of-rural-women-2023-prof-mabel-onwuka-trains-abia-women-on-biochar-production/

12. A workshop on ‘Winning Grant Proposal Writing held from 17th to 19th July 2023. The workshop was organized by Directorate of University Research Administration (DURA), Center of Excellence in Root Crops Research and Development (CERCORD), Desk, MOUAU TETFund and Center for Gender, Youth and Child Development (CGYCD).

13. A webinar with theme ‘Gender in Work Place’ was organized on 1st July 2023 by 8pm (West Central Africa). Prof. Elechi France Asawalam (Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria) spoke on ‘Women helping women climb the career ladder.’ Prof Jemima Ngozi Ogwo (Professor of Physics, Abia State University Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria), made a presentation on ‘Leadership skills through a gender lens’. Eighty-one persons participated in the webinar. Dr. (Mrs) Nkechinyere Nkem Iwe (President of MOUAUWA) moderated the events of the program the program was organized by Prof Mabel Ifeoma Onwuka (Director of CGYCD), while the Chief host was Prof M.O Iwe (Vice- Chancellor Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike).

14. Celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child 2022 with the pupils of MOUAU
Demonstration Primary School.

15. Center for Gender and Child Development in partnership with Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Abia State, trained one hundred and seventy- six (176) Youths of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike in Entrepreneurial Skills from Thursday 23rd to Friday 24th June 2022 at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Women Association (MOUAUWA) Event Center.

16. Commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Gender Based Violence against Women and the kick of the 16 Days Of Activism on 25th November 2022.
https://nationalambassador.com.ng/mouau-vc-cgcd-seek-end-to-gender-based-violence/

Center for Gender, Youth and Child Development (CGYCD)