About Us
The Centre for Gender and Development Studies (CDGS) in Federal University of Lafia was created with the aim of providing a framework for Studies and Researches in Gender and other related matters within the University community and its environs. Therefore, the Centre
will be an interdisciplinary arm of the Federal University of Lafia saddled with the task of promoting teaching and Research on gender in particular and sexuality in general.
Our primary focus is on conducting world-class researches in the fields of Women, Gender, and Development Studies. We believe that these researches will empower the University and various communities in Nigeria to address and overcome gender inequality and bias between
African men and women. By engaging with society and promoting interactions on gender issues, we aim at challenging existing norms and create a more inclusive and equitable environment for all.
Furthermore, our Centre is eager to delve into a wide range of research areas that explore the multifaceted dimensions of gender relations and development. From the politics of gender to the intersection of gender, health, and medicine, from examining gender dynamics in the
workspace and power relations to addressing issues of gender, family, and poverty, we are committed to exploring every facet of this crucial field.
The Centre will also welcome collaboration and engagement with Researchers, Academics, Activists, and Non-Profit Organisations who share our passion for Women, Gender, and Development Studies. Together, we will create transformative solutions and resources for our society, making a lasting impact on gender perceptions and promoting social equality. Join us at the Centre for Gender and Development Studies, where research and advocacy intertwine to create a brighter future for women, gender relations, and development in Nigeria and Africa.
Activities
The Strategic Direction of the Centre include, but not limited to:
1. Set up working groups of Gender Committee/Members of Administrative Board.
2. Develop a viable but detailed two year Strategic Plan.
3. Undergo an understudy of CGDS in sister Universities.
4. Prepare a Policy document for the Centre.
5. Facilitate the appointment of Administrative and other supporting Staff.
6. Facilitate the provision of a dedicated physical structure and office amenities for the Centre.
7. Organise orientation and training of staff of the Centre.
8. Plan and promote academic and professional courses in Gender Studies/Develop a Curriculum for Diploma and B.A Courses in Gender Studies.
9. Interact with Sister Universities which already have Centre for Gender and Development Studies for the purpose of gaining from such interactions for the benefit of our Centre in FULafia.
10. Anchor a Journal on Gender and Development Studies.
11. Draft a Gender Policy Statement for the University.
12. Promote Gender mainstreaming in the University policies, programmes and implementation/Gender desegregation of data for easy analysis and policy formulation.
13. Drive initiatives to enhance awareness and communication on general gender issues/Gender sensitisation through teaching, researches, workshops and seminars.
14. Provide educational counseling regarding Gender discriminations, sexual harassment and sexual offence prevention for staff and student on campus.
15. Providing guidance, counseling and mentoring schemes for the University and its environs.
16. Accept proposal on Gender related events.
17. Embark on advocacy activities that promote a conducive environment for promoting diversity management and culture.
18. Seek resolutions to allegation of unfair Gender discrimination, sexual harassment or sexual
offences.
19. Carry out Gender sensitisation through teaching, researches, workshops and seminars.
20. Facilitate the Fellowship and Scholarship for female staff and indigent students respectively.
21. Facilitate town and gown relationship through the promotion of literacy programmes for women.
22. Engaging Academic members in various disciplines on Gender-related and Development Studies.
In addition to the Strategic Direction above, the Centre will undertake the following activities for an initial take-off:
1. Training through Conferences, Workshops & Seminars.
2. Establishment & Running of Academic Programmes: Dip., B.A., Postgraduate Diploma.
3. Sensitisation.
4. Monitoring and Evaluation.
5. Investigation of Gender and sexual harassment issues.
6. Gender and other related Researches.
7. Advocacy.
8. Counseling.
9. Gender Mainstreaming and other Gender-based issues.
Aims & objectives
PHILOSOPHY OF THE CENTRE
The Centre for Gender and Development Studies is geared towards building a knowledge
base for the improvement of the situation of men, women and girls by analysing their specific
problems, needs and interests. Thus, it hopes to conduct Gender-based Researches thereby
creating a knowledge-base for bridging the private-public sphere, and to examine societal
norms and expectations regarding the place of women and men as well as their functions in
the society. One of the core philosophies of the Centre will therefore be to explore strategies of
empowering the disadvantaged people within their families, which are the foundations for
building communities, peace and consolidating the developmental strides of the current
administration in FULafia, Nasarawa State, and Nigeria at large.
VISION
The vision of the Centre for Gender and Development Studies, Federal University of Lafia
seeks to be a renowned research Centre point for positive learning, socio-economic
transformation by bridging gender gaps and institutionalising gender mainstreaming as an
administrative tool in Federal University of Lafia. Thus, the newly established Centre for
Gender and Development Studies is geared towards building a knowledge base for the
improvement of the situation of men, women and girls by analysing their specific problems,
needs and interests. By creating knowledge for bridging the private-public sphere, the centre
hopes to examine societal norms and expectations regarding the place of women and men as
well as their functions in the society. The centre will therefore explore strategies of
empowering the disadvantaged people within their families which are the foundation for
building communities, peace and consolidating the developmental strides of the current
administration in FULafia and Nigeria at large. Multidisciplinary in nature, the centre will
work with other Centres and various Departments/Units in the University in the areas of
teaching, research and training of students and members of the society on issues related to
gender.
MISSION
The mission of the Centre for Gender and Development Studies, Federal University of Lafia is to
establish and develop a gender sensitive Centre that serves as a hub for connecting gender specialists
within the University and without through multidisciplinary research, teaching, training, advocacy, and
policy on gender issues in line with the Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At the heart of
our mission lies a commitment to fostering a research-focused environment that addresses crucial
gender-related issues and encourages critical dialogue, activism, and learning about gender relations.
Through our work, we strive to create a positive impact in our University, our host communities, Nigeria,
and Africa as a whole.
The Centre for Gender and Development Studies is geared towards building a knowledge
base for the improvement of the situation of men, women and girls by analysing their specific
problems, needs and interests. Thus, it hopes to conduct Gender-based Researches thereby
creating a knowledge-base for bridging the private-public sphere, and to examine societal
norms and expectations regarding the place of women and men as well as their functions in
the society. One of the core philosophies of the Centre will therefore be to explore strategies of
empowering the disadvantaged people within their families, which are the foundations for
building communities, peace and consolidating the developmental strides of the current
administration in FULafia, Nasarawa State, and Nigeria at large.
CORE VALUES
* Integrity * Discipline *Professionalism
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Welcome Address
Welcome to the Centre for Gender and Development Studies at the Federal University of Lafia, Nigeria. Established on the 19th of May, 2023, under the visionary leadership of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Shehu Abdul Rahman and with Professor Halima Amali as its pioneer Director; our Centre is dedicated to advancing gender balance and equality, championing women’s rights, and promoting development in society. As the challenges in the areas of family, religion, human rights, politics and democratic governance are on the rise, the need for a Centre for Gender and Development Studies can hardly be over-emphasised. Women generally constitute a large proportion of the disadvantaged even though they make up more than half of the population in Nigeria (2006 Census). They are the least educated and politically underrepresented in particularly Northern Nigeria notwithstanding the unrivalled position and respect our society has accorded them. The Country Gender Report confirms that “human development outcomes for girls and women are worse in the North, where poverty levels are sometimes twice as high as parts of the South:72% in the North-East compared to 26% in the South-East and a national average of 54%” (CGR, 2012).