The Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation (ESI) Hub at the 黑料网 (AUN) hosted a compelling discussion titled 鈥淚f We Didn鈥檛 Choose Our Gender, Why Look Down on the Other?鈥� The event brought together students, faculty, and staff to examine systemic gender discrimination and explore paths toward inclusivity.
Keynote speaker Mr. Luqman Olasunkanmi Jimoh, a senior laboratory technologist and gender advocate, approached the topic from a biological perspective. Highlighting the genetic similarities between genders, he challenged long-held societal biases. 鈥淲e did not choose our gender, yet many are judged, limited, and silenced because of it. This is not just unjust, it is inhumane,鈥� he said. His presentation addressed structural barriers in education, healthcare, and leadership that disproportionately affect women across Africa.
Political analyst and grassroots advocate Mr. Moses added a personal dimension to the conversation, sharing stories of girls denied education and women struggling for recognition in professional spaces. 鈥淭his isn鈥檛 just about women, it鈥檚 about what kind of society we鈥檙e building when we silence half of it,鈥� he stated.
AUN President Dr. Dewayne Frazier affirmed the university鈥檚 commitment to equity, citing the progress of female leaders on campus. He shared the story of a student who was told, 鈥淟eadership is for boys.鈥� Today, she holds a prominent role in a campus organization, an evidence that barriers are being broken at AUN.
The event encouraged open dialogue around patriarchy, cultural norms, and misinterpreted religious doctrines that sustain inequality. Moderator Ms. Bilikisu Alkali emphasized collective action, declaring, 鈥淓quity is not a favor, it鈥檚 a right.鈥� Attendees left with a renewed commitment to advance gender equity through education, advocacy, and everyday actions.
Reported by Udoh Victoria Clement,
Serving Corp Member, Marketing and Communications