In collaboration with COL, the Regional Training and Research Institute for Distance and Open Learning (RETRIDOL), conducted a workshop on Gender Sensitisation at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja, Nigeria from 29-31 January 2019 for 27 participants from 12 universities across the country. The workshop was graced by Ambassador Babatunde A. Nurudeen, Nigeria Permanent Representative to the Economic Community of West African States and Mrs. Agnes Bamgbala, Deputy Director of the Directorate of Open and Distance Education, National University Commission.

Professor Adamu Uba Abdalla, Vice Chancellor of NOUN inaugurating the workshop said, “NOUN is an ideal institution to host such an event – five of its eight faculties have females as Dean, as well as Professor Joy Chinwe Eyisi, NOUN’s first female Deputy Vice Chancellor.”

The workshop was facilitated by Professor Mansah Prah, former Dean in the Faculty of Social Science at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana. The workshop focused on the importance of addressing gender inequalities by ensuring that both women’s and men’s views, interests and needs shape policies, plans and programmes in universities. Among the issues raised were how to improve the efficacy of sexual harassment committees and guidance on developing gender policies within institutions.

Dr Kirk Perris, COL’s Adviser Education said, “This gender sensitisation workshop expands RETRIDOL’s capacity to impart change amongst higher education institutions in the West Africa Sub Region.” The aim of this project is for institutions to implement activities leading to sustained understanding and institutional change to mainstream gender in the Nigerian university system.