Equal Futures: GADA Engages UNICAL Students to advance Gender equality and Sustainable Development

As part of its Safe Communities project, Gender and Development Action (GADA) recently engaged in an interactive session with the Students of the University of Calabar Youth Friendly Hub. The aim of the sessions with different cohorts of female and male students was to explore ways of developing young capacities through internship and volunteering.

The sessions held in three different days at GADA’s office in Calabar. Each session focused on nurturing the passion in the youths to make their communities of origin, resident or education more gender inclusive, sensitive to issues of gender-based violence and dedicated to promoting gender equality in sustainable ways.

The gathering was also a platform for integration by the students with one another and their introduction to the programs of GADA. In particular, they were introduced to the GADA Internship which is starting later in 2023. The internship will expose them to the organization's vision and it's ultimate goal of transforming them into agents of social change across Nigeria through projects and initiatives started by them.

Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo, the founder of GADA and a member of GADA's board, expressed her enthusiasm in building in the future, an intergenerational academy for engaging with the students. In her words, she noted that, "We believe that young people possess incredible potential to drive positive change in Nigeria and this has been demonstrated in the 2023 elections where they created a third force and drove their goals for a new Nigeria through their votes.

She further stated that, "by providing the necessary skills, knowledge, and opportunities, the Academy can empower students to become effective change agents, particularly in areas related to social and human development."

Toyo reaffirmed GADA's commitment to nurturing young talent and fostering a sense of passion within students of tertiary institutions in Cross River and Akwa Ibom States. This is achievable through the GADA academy offering comprehensive development related studies and training, providing mentorship programs that equip individual students with the tools they need to address social inequalities and promoting programs associated with the SDGs.

"We are excited to integrate students into our wider networks, empowering them to contribute meaningfully to their communities and showing that beyond the certificate they get from these tertiary institutions they have much more to give."

During the interactive sessions, some of the participating students expressed their excitement about the opportunity to be part of GADA's initiatives and shared their aspirations for the future.

One of the students, Esther Stephen said. ‘‘Anything concerning women and stopping gender-based violence has always been of great concern to me. I've always been passionate about gender equality and sustainable development, and GADA's mission aligns perfectly with my personal life goals. So, attending this session has been an eye-opening experience. I am eager to be part of the GADA internship, volunteering activities and academy as well as enhance my skills to become a change agent in my community of birth and residence."

Another participant, Chidinma Ukoha said the insights gained from the interactive sessions has increased her knowledge about GBV. She thanked GADA for the opportunity to see ways she will be contributing to the fight against gender-based violence in the society, adding that by being a part of GADA's initiative her dreams will come true.

"This session has shown me the immense impact I can have by actively working towards changes in the social component of my community. I look forward to gaining new valuable knowledge and wider experiences through the GADA association, so I can contribute effectively to the betterment of society."

GADA's collaborative efforts with students of the University of Calabar Youth Friendly Hub reflect its commitment to empowering young people and fostering a culture of positive change. By integrating the students and exposing them to the organization's objectives, GADA aims to cultivate a new generation of passionate and skilled advocates, who are driven by goals of gender equality and sustainable development.