On Monday 12 September, the ACU and the University of Nairobi convened an international conference, focusing on the SDGs and gender equity and equality in higher education.

Around 100 participants from 16 different countries, including 11 African nations, had an opportunity to discuss how higher education and academics can contribute to achieving gender equity within academia and beyond. Topics of discussion included investing in the care economy, providing scholarships for female engineers and women in leadership. Speakers primarily consisted of a number of accomplished female academics and administrators, including vice-chancellors, deputy vice-chancellors and deans, who have achieved successful careers by overcoming numerous difficulties.

Many of these speakers were alumni of previous ACU Gender Programme leadership training workshops, many of whom acknowledged how the programme helped them and their colleagues to succeed. They shared personal and professional experiences, and discussed possible solutions to increase the number of women in leadership roles. Participants suggested that it is necessary for institutions to support more initiatives, such as mentoring, encouraging more women into science and research, creating family friendly working environments, providing support to women to move up the career ladder, and other similar initiatives.

Around 40 women will participate in a Leadership and Management training workshop immediately following the conference. The ACU appreciates the support provided by the University of Nairobi in organising these events.

Read more about the ACU's Gender programme here