The celebration of the International Women’s Rights Day, 2022 edition, at the National University of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (UNSTIM) of Abomey was held on its site at Sogbo Aliho on Thursday 31 March 2022. All the women from the different university centers of Unstim were mobilized to show their pride in belonging to the female gender. An important component that contributes to the development of the university community. Various activities constituted the menu of this celebration which took place under the amazed eyes of the three vice-rectors of this university.
IWD, the successful attempt of Unstim’s women
It is through a pedestrian walk on the route Rectorate – university site Sogbo Aliho that the activities marking the 2022 edition of the celebration of the International Women’s Rights Day at unstim started this Thursday, March 31, 2022. Placed under the theme “equality today for a sustainable future” this ceremony gathered women teachers, administrative staff, students from the 04 university centers of Unstim. We could also note the presence of girls from Houffon high schools and general education colleges 1 and 2 of Abomey.
The objective of the event is to promote and value the woman of Unstim, all corporations included. In her speech, Dr. Valerie Hontinfindé, president of the organizing committee of the event and teacher-researcher at the National High School of Mathematical Engineering and Modeling (ENSGMM) Abomey, based on the theme chosen to draw the attention of his peers on the role of women in the achievement of gender equality. “As you can imagine, women have long been marginalized to the point that they have always been left out of the major decision-making spheres. But, over the years, there have been many changes. Indeed, in our dear country, the Republic of Benin, legal reforms have completely abrogated these acts or thoughts and we dare to say it today: we tend towards a total emancipation of women” she declared. The main purpose of the celebration of this day is to better ensure the place and commitments of women in modern society. “If you teach a man, you teach a person. If you teach a woman, you teach the whole family,” she continued. She took the opportunity to thank the rectoral council for its support and accompaniment while inviting them to further support the initiatives of Unstim women despite the difficulties.
On behalf of the Rector of Unstim, the 1st Vice-Rector in charge of Academic Affairs, Professor Edmond Codjo Adjovi urged women to give priority to the quality of work, performance, competence and speed in the execution of tasks. “You must focus on the quality of training, profiles and means that you give yourself alongside men to meet the various challenges facing the academic community of Unstim: an academic environment where gender equality must be effective.” He recalled the initiatives of the rectoral council that have allowed to reach the current level of respect for the rights and empowerment of women. According to him, the Rector’s Council does not intend to stop only at these actions, as long as there are still pockets of resistance.
Women’s empowerment and respect of their dignity
Two communications, have furnished this ceremony. They aim to further strengthen the pride of the women of UNSTIM on the inevitability of their place in the development process. One of them was entitled “The mastery of emotions as a factor of both educational and professional success”. Dr. Erasmus Arinloyé exposed the advantages of self-control in the process of personal development of an individual.
The second communication made by Dr. Omédine KOUKOUI, teacher-researcher at ENSBBA Dassa is a source of information that allowed women to know a little more about the factors that hinder the emancipation and the respect of women’s dignity. She presented some of the studies conducted in this area with supporting statistics.
Relaxation time
It is the group of animation of the students’ artistic group of the university center of Abomey who set the scene. The students performed songs in Goun language and danced under the admiring eyes of teachers, administrative staff, students and members of the rectoral council.
As if to remind the universality and uniqueness of women, two students did not hesitate to address poetic declamations to all women. The rhymes, asserted with force, conviction and emphasis seduced the audience who in return gave them a standing ovation. A family picture marked the end of the ceremony. Appointment is thus taken for next year for new perspectives in the emancipation of the woman.
Lionel Abraham Effio
