By Akaiso Eyo- Akaiso, Abuja.
There is an adage which says educate a woman educate a nation. Flip the other way, if you stop to educate women you stop to educate nations.
Lesson: if enough women were educated and empowered as done men, there would have been more progress politically, economically and socially in so many nations including Nigeria.
Perhaps, above explains the philosophy behind Professor Linda Kwon- Ndung’s lecture titled “Advancing Gender Justice and Women’s empowerment for Sustainable development through a political economy outlook.”
A renowned expert in political economy and development studies, Kwon – Ndung has underscored the crucial role of gender justice and women’s empowerment in driving sustainable development.
Delivering the 26th inaugural lecture at the Federal University of Lafia on the 13 march,2025, Kwon- Ndung emphasized that achieving gender equality is not only a moral obligation but also a strategic economic necessity.
Kwon- Ndung highlighted the systemic barriers that have hindered women’s access to power, resources, and rights, tracing these inequalities to colonial legacies, entrenched patriarchal structures, and restrictive legal frameworks which seem to favour males against women, mostly in Nigeria.
She noted that Nigerian women remain economically , politically and socially marginalized, with poverty and gender- based violence disproportionately affecting them.
To address these challenges, Kwon- Ndung outlined several policy recommendations. They are: Economic Empowerment for Women: She calls for the domestication of Women Economic Empowerment Policy, 2023 by all the sub- nationals. Providing women with access to resources, education, and economic opportunities, Prof Kwon Ndung maintained, “will not only enhance their participation in the economy but ensure inclusivity.”
lmproving Women’s Health and Well- being: Prof. Kwon – Ndung addressed this with passion, describing it as a unique health challenge faced not only by women in the rural settlement, but including high brow women due to some stereotype traditions which culminate into lack of access to reproductive healthcare and protection from gender- based violence.
Closing the Gender Gap in Education: Even in this 21st century in some families education gap between the male and female children is yawning by the day, allowing women to have unhindered access to education is akin to a camel passing through the eye of a needle. This is exacerbated when there is a choice to make between a boy and a girl on who should go to school first, even when it is apparent that the girl is brighter.To eliminate this stereotype, this gender advocate pointed out that girls and women should have equal access to education, from primary to tertiary levels.
To Close the gap in political participation, Kwon-Ndung advocated that: (a). the National Assembly should urgently amend the constitution to introduce gender quotas and special seats for women, increasing their political representation. (b). Collaboration between the National Assembly and the Independent National Electoral commission (INEC) is crucial to reviewing electoral laws and ensuring the implementation of the 35% affirmative action stipulated in the 2021 Revised National Gender Policy.
(c). National and sub- national governments must enforce the 35% affirmative action in leadership and decision- making positions.
According to the lecturer, the time to pass the gender equality bill is now developing and implementing policies that promote gender equality, challenge patriarchal norms, and empower women to participate in decision- making processes will go a long way to promote gender inclusiveness, where men and women sit down on the round table to contribute their quota on issues that also concern them.
Kwon- Ndung emphasized that empowering women is essential for achieving stronger economies, improved governance, and accelerated innovations. She urged governments, civil society, and development partners to move beyond rhetoric and take decisive action to dismantle gender- based blockades. Empowering women aligns with the core value of Sustainable Development Goals which is “Leave no one behind.”
As Kwon- Ndung aptly put it, “A nation that empowers its women secures its future.” “It is time for Nigeria, and indeed all nations, to prioritize gender justice and women’s empowerment as a national imperative. By doing so, we can unlock the full potential of women and girls, driving sustainable development, economic growth, and social justice for all,” Prof. Kwon Ndung averred.
Earlier, the chairman of the occasion and Vice- Chancellor of FULafia, Professor Shehu Abdul Rahman, described Linda Kwon- Ndung as “an outstanding scholar whose numerous academic works attest to her contributions to knowledge in her quest for gender justice and women’s empowerment for Sustainable development.” Congratulating her and her family, he underscored the significance of professorial inaugural lectures, noting that “the tradition establishes new collaborations and strengthens existing relationships.”
In her welcome address, Prof. Josephine Odey, the Chairperson of the Inaugural Lecture Committee, represented by Prof. David Ugal, praised Kwon- Ndung’s contributions to the academia, stating that her academic works have enriched staff and students of the University, women and the field of gender studies.The lecture was attended by dignitaries from within and outside the state, including royal fathers, judges, and academics. The occasion featured the presentation of gifts to Professor Kwon- Ndung by the vice- chancellor, recognizing her outstanding contributions to the academia and her quest for gender justice and women’s empowerment for Sustainable Development.
