Makerere University has overtime increased the number of female admissions and according the current statistics that were revealed by Vice-Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, the female population surpasses that of the male students and staff.
Professor Nawangwe made the revelation on Wednesday February 23rd during the International Conference on Gender Studies in Africa organized by the School of Women and Gender Studies in commemoration of its 30 years of existence.
“The enrollment of female students into the university has grown to over 52% in a period of 20 years and the female staff population has shot up from 3% to 30%.” Prof. Nawangwe noted.
According to VC Nawangwe, more ought to be done to enhance research and formulate policies aimed at accelerating women empowerment.
Over the past two decades, the number of female students has increased from 15% to 51% whereas that of female staff has increased from 5 to 35%. Among the prominent beneficiaries from this female-centered development is Mrs Winifred Kabumbuli whose unforeseen promotion from warden at Mary Stuart to Dean of Students saw her become Makerere’s first female Dean of Students.
The female population in Makerere university has overwhelmingly grown in a bid to promote gender equity. Notable of the practices aimed at achieving this is the government’s free points (1.5 pts) awarded to each female student leaving them in a better position to outmatch their male counterparts in the battle for admission slots.
Jessica Alupo, Uganda’s vice president and chief guest at the conference asserted that Africa won’t develop despite the boast about resources as long as women are left in the dark. Besides, gender equality is a necessity to boasting economic development.
“Gender equality is not only the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do because it is vital to boasting growth in all sectors of development.” Jessica Alupo remarked.
The International Conference on gender studies in Africa, through which VC Nawangwe made this revelation, began on Wednesday February 23rd, 2022 at the university’s Central Teaching Facility (CTF2) auditorium will run till Friday 25th, 2022.
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