A groundbreaking project in Rivers State, Nigeria, aims to tackle gender disparities in higher education. Bournemouth University (BU), UK, and the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) are collaborating on the initiative, funded by the British Council’s Gender Equality Partnerships Grant, to foster inclusivity, particularly in STEM fields.
The project, based at the University of Port Harcourt in Rivers State, aims to address barriers to gender equality in higher education institutions (HEIs) in Nigeria, with the potential to serve as a replicable model for HEIs in other developing regions. The initiative will develop a Gender Equality Policy tailored to UNIPORT,supporting long-term systemic change in the university and beyond.
Led by Dr. Anthony Ezenwa of BU, alongside Professors Heoma Worlu and Olufemi Adesope of UNIPORT, the project targets leadership gaps, gender-based violence, work-life balance issues, and women’s underrepresentation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
The initiative emphasizes increasing female enrolment in STEM disciplines and creating actionable policies to foster a more inclusive academic environment. Stakeholder perspectives will guide the development of these policies.
Related posts:
With a £25,000 grant, the project will run until December 2025, making Rivers State a focal point for transformative research on gender equality in higher education.
Dr. Ezenwa stated, “This project provides an opportunity to address systemic barriers to gender equality in higher education systems, particularly in the Global South.”
Professor Adesope highlighted, “This partnership opens new opportunities for collaboration, offering valuable lessons for global North-South cooperation.”
This initiative underscores Rivers State’s role in pioneering gender equality in education, with UNIPORT setting an example for other institutions in Nigeria and beyond.
