RWSA 2024 TRIENNIAL CONFERENCE: A LOOK AT REPRESENTATION FROM AFRICA

By: Ajibola Oluwakemi Taiwo

As at 2022, The Global Economy website reported that Africa’s rural population was 51.76%, while her total percentage of women was 50.16%. This means that about a significant part of the continent’s demographic landscape reside, or have resided at some point, in rural areas; and experienced governance, institutional processes and daily living such settings.

       Olubunmi Asimolowo 
It is, therefore, no wonder that a fair representation is made at any gathering that aims to explore the interplay of challenges and opportunities in rural areas. This is, perhaps, the reason why a total of 8 presenters from different countries across Africa are joining their counterparts at the 15th Rural Women Studies Association (RWSA) Triennial Conference in Arkansas University in May, 2024. 

          Oluwaseun Boye

The Conference, themed Gendered Advocacy and Activism, Shaping Institutions and Communities, promises to be enlightening and progressive as it will harvest views, data and experiences across several sectors, including civil societies, government officials, private citizens, researchers and students, and members of the general public interested in topics that revolve around women and rural living. Sub-themes to be explored include grassroots activism, advocacy, women’s rights (including reproductive rights), LGBTQIA+ rights and identities, health (mental), education, politics, environment, race and ethnicity.

 *Meet the Speakers from Africa* 

Ashimolowo Olubunmi, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Nigeria, is the Chair, RWSA Africa and will present a paper on “Female Agriculture Undergraduates Perception and use of Contraceptives in Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria”;

      Abolanle Ogunlami

RWSA Africa’s Co-Chair, Oluwaseun Boye of International Breweries PLC, Nigeria, will speak on “Rights and Roles of Women in Politics”; 

Berhanu Asfaw Weldemikael from Institute of Ethiopian Studies, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, will explore “LGBTQIA+ in the Ethiopia Public Sphere”;

Ajibola Oluwakemi Taiwo from Ogun State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Nigeria, will present her findings on “Curbing Domestic Violence in Abeokuta: Successes and Failings”;

Ogunlami Serifat Abolanle from Ogun State Government, Nigeria, will address “Empowering Rural Women in Ogun State, Nigeria for a Fulfilled Life”;

Oladotun E. Awosusi of the University of Fort Hare, South Africa, will present a paper on “Gendered Activism and Refugee Protection in Post-Apartheid South Africa”; and

Nkiru Christiana Ohia and Joshua Ogueri Okpara, from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, will present their findings on “Gender Differentials in the Stigmatization and Discrimination against Inmates of Leper Settlements in South East Nigeria”.

       Ajibola Taiwo

It is hoped that RWSA 2024 Triennial Conference will fan the flame, in these participants, to continue their search to shape institutions and communities within their immediate spheres of influence positively, through their activism, advocacy, research and search for knowledge, while attracting global attention to issues that directly impacts the lives of women in different rural areas.