Varsity Centre Advocates Rural Empowerment To Meet SDGs

The Centre for Gender, Youth and Child Development (CGYCD), Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) has advocated for rural women empowerment in the country.

The director of the centre, Prof. Mabel Ifeoma Onwuka, made the case at the launch of the 2025 Rural Women Farmers Empowerment Initiative in Umudike, Ikwuano local government area of Abia State.

“Empowering rural women in the country aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of ending hunger, reducing inequality, and promoting economic growth,” she said.

To achieve this, she stressed the need to equip rural women farmers with up-to-date knowledge and innovations in agriculture to boost productivity and ensure food security.

Onwuka underscored the importance of equipping rural women farmers with up-to-date knowledge and innovations in agriculture to boost productivity and ensure food security.

She decried challenges such as poor land tenure systems, and unhealthy farming practices such as; indiscriminate bush burning as factors militating against food security in the country.

The director, who is the founder of Hope for Farmers, Women and Girls Initiatives advised farmers to avoid contaminated land and adopt healthier methods like organic farming to combat rising health risks, including cancer.

She used the forum to demonstrate how to produce biochar organic fertiliser using pyrolysis drums and encouraged women to establish a home garden to reduce hunger and improve household income.

At the event, a graduate of the university, Joy Mankwe, also demonstrated how to make reusable sanitary pads from banana fibres, urging young women to be resourceful and hygienic.

Mankwe, who stressed the importance of sterilization of the pad, further explained how to adapt the invention for heavier menstrual flows.

In a response on behalf of the participants, who were from Umudike and Umudike Ukwu communities, Adanma Nwadinobi, expressed their appreciation to the centre and Onwuka for the programme.

The programme featured free distribution of pyrolysis drums, biochar organic fertilizers, food items, and organic sanitary pads to participants.