About – Center for Gender, Youth and Child Development

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 is 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. A workshop on ‘Winning Grant Proposal Writing held from 17 th to 19 th 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).
2. A webinar with theme ‘Gender in Work Place’ was organized on 1 st 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).

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

4. 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 23 rd to Friday 24 th June 2022 at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture
Umudike Women Association (MOUAUWA) Event Center.
5. Commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Gender Based Violence
against Women and the kick of the 16 Days Of Activism on 25 th November 2022.
 https://nationalambassador.com.ng/mouau-vc-cgcd-seek-end-to-gender-based-
violence/

Some past activities of the Center.

1. A one-day training on the production of organic fertilizer and its distribution to women farmers in Ikwuano, Umuahia North and South Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria, March 2013  
2. A two-day workshop tagged Productivity Enhancement and Motivational Training workshop for teachers in Primary/ Secondary Schools in Abia State 2nd May 2013
3. A three-day in-house Gender Projects Training Workshop for Women in Academics and Administration in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike 14th– 16th May 2013
4. Gender Stakeholders summit and Award Ceremony 24th May 2013
5. A one-day workshop on Teachers and Teaching improvement Workshop for teachers in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike in Primary/ Secondary Schools 24th to 25th May 2014
6. A one-day Youth program with the theme Nigeria beyond oil: Strengthening Youth Entrepreneurship in the next most productive sectors. The workshop was in  collaboration with Rise Interactive Global Link limited Lagos March 2014
7. A three-day summit for South East Women Executive’s Leadership and Management: Measuring and unlocking new potentials and skills June 2014

Some conferences and workshops organized by CGCD in Collaboration with some organizations: 

1. CGD in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Abuja, and Growing Girls and Women Initiative of Nigeria (G-win) Nigeria, organized a five-day training on Some Youths and Women in Cassava processing, value addition, and marketing in January 2015
2. CGCD in collaboration with Win Institute for Gender Studies organized the 9th Women in Transformation Master class Training and Awards held at Conference Hall Potana Hotel, Dubai, United Arab Emirate 14th to 19th December 2015
3. CGCD collaborated with Commonwealth Secretariat and Citizenship and Leadership Training Center, Abuja to organize a four-day non -residential leadership training for the Pupils and students of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Demonstration Primary and Secondary Schools July 2015
4. International Women Conference with Goodwin College Hartford Connecticut, USA from 11th to 19th October 2015 at USA.