The University of Ghana has made a significant stride towards promoting gender inclusivity, unveiling its revised Statutes aimed at enhancing gender equality as part of its newly launched five-year strategic plan.
Speaking at the launch of the University of Ghana Strategic Plan for 2024-2029, Pro-vice Chancellor in charge of Academic and Students Affairs, Prof. Gordon Akanzuwine Awandare presented on the revised statutes and a Manual on Human Resource Management and Administrative Policies and Procedures; he explained that the university is set to heighten its efforts to improve gender parity by incorporating gender-neutral pronouns instead of exclusively using “he and she.”
“First is to take into account our new posture as a gender inclusive institution or a more gender inclusive institution. So, the language has been modified to change from everything been solely he and she to a more inclusive language that takes every gender into account.”
Prof. Awandare further noted that the University as part of its move towards gender parity seeks to carefully consider the composition of teams, committees, and boards to ensure equal representation, especially women to create a more diverse and equitable university environment.
“The new status also requires us to be gender inclusive. When we set up committees, teams, assignments, whatever we are doing, we have to think about the composition of the team that we’re working with. For example, if you have a committee of five people, we have to ensure that at least two are women, preferably four. But if we can make at least two. And if possible, the chair should be a woman. We want to continue setting the pace for gender parity in this country.”
He stated that the revision aims to align the university’s laws with current and emerging national and institutional policies and processes.
“The revision is in furtherance of the Vice Chancellor’s vision which is to make the institute a vibrant and responsive governance and management system, and also to update and align the statutes with current and emerging national and university-level policies and operational processes.”
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Story by: Michelle Lartey | univers.ug.edu.gh
