CGS UNIZIK Enlightens Students on Overlooked Issues in Society.
By Amarachukwu Callistus
The Nnamdi Azikiwe University Centre for Gender Studies (CGS) held its first workshop for university students to discuss important but often overlooked societal issues such as gender and drug abuse, sexual harassment among the male gender, gender awareness, identity and discipline, digital skills, and internet addiction.
The workshop was held at the university auditorium and featured dignitaries and speakers including the Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Carol Arinze, Professor Harry Nwosu, and other invited experts.In her remarks, the Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Carol Arinze, welcomed all participants, acknowledged the presence of the speakers and audience, and urged the Centre to remain focused on its mandate. She also called for continuous sensitisation on gender-based violence, emphasising the need to also address cases involving female perpetrators.
One of the guest speakers, Professor Chukuwuemeka Okoye, a public health advocate and academic, delivered a paper on “Gender and Drug Abuse: Buttressing Living Healthy, Focusing on Physical Health and Mental Health.” He highlighted the impact of drug misuse on both genders and advocated for a more gender-sensitive approach to public health education.
Dr Ifeoma Odinye, a gender studies scholar and communication expert, addressed the issue of sexual harassment, focusing particularly on how harassment of the male gender is frequently overlooked. She emphasised the importance of acknowledging all forms of harassment and broadening awareness beyond conventional narration.
Professor Ikechukwu Onyeme, a lecturer in the Department of Computer Science, spoke on the topic “Digital Skills and Internet Addiction.” He began with an interactive physical poll and proceeded to define digital skills, discuss their significance in today’s world, and outline the potential dangers of excessive internet use.
Sonia Ejiofor,one of the students present, in an interview, expressed how the workshop expanded her understanding, especially regarding the overlooked issue of male sexual harassment.
To make the workshop more interactive and engaging, a question-and-answer session was held, allowing students to clarify misunderstandings. Each question was addressed by the relevant speaker.
