The Centre for Gender, Women and Children in Sustainable Development (CGWCSD) has reaffirmed her commitment to inclusive development and gender justice by awarding educational scholarships to two special students of the Obafemi Awolowo University during her 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD) commemorative event, as a practical step toward supporting their educational aspirations and promoting their long-term empowerment.
The event, held in alignment with the 2026 global International Women’s Day titled, “Give to Gain,” brought together stakeholders from academia, secondary school students, special students and development partners to deepen conversations on gender equality, safeguarding, and inclusive education. One of the highlights of the occasion was the formal presentation of Awards to Gender Champions who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to advancing the rights, dignity, and empowerment of women and girls.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of CGWCSD emphasized that true gender equality cannot be achieved without intentional inclusion of persons with disabilities, who often face multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination.
“Our commitment today goes beyond symbolic recognition. By investing in the education of special students, we are dismantling systemic barriers and creating pathways for leadership, dignity, and opportunity. Inclusion is not optional it is foundational to sustainable development.”
The scholarship initiative is part of CGWCSD’s broader strategy to promote equitable access to education, particularly for marginalized populations, including women, girls, and persons living with disabilities. It also aligns with the Centre’s ongoing advocacy for safe, inclusive, and gender-responsive learning environments across Nigeria.
Participants commended CGWCSD for her leadership in bridging policy and practice, particularly through actionable interventions such as the scholarship scheme.
The Centre reiterated her call to government, development partners, and the private sector to scale investments in inclusive education and safeguarding systems, ensuring that no one is left behind.