HBCU Presidential Summit on Gender Equality: UN Women HeForShe Campaign
On Friday, February 25th, 2022, the Howard University Center for Women, Gender, and Global Leadership hosted the HBCU Presidential Summit on Gender Equality: UN Women HeForShe Campaign. This virtual event marked the Howard University HeforShe partnership's introduction and the beginning of many presidential summits to come. This historic event aimed to promote gender equality in the academic sector. The United Nations HeforShe movement allows men and people of all genders to stand in solidarity with women to create an equal world.
Dr. Jarpa Dawuni introduced United Nations Women representative Aldijana Sisic who gave introductory remarks, including addressing the importance of the HeforShe movement, and the role men play within it. Following Sisic's statements, Anthony Dohman, a graduating senior and one of the Howard student coordinators for the HeforShe movement, introduced the panelists. Panelists included Howard University President Dr. Wayne Fredrick, Benedict College President Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, and Norfolk State University President Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston. The moderator was Dean Danielle Holley-Walker of the Howard University School of Law. She facilitated the conversation by asking the panelists a series of questions related to gender equality on each respective campus. During the moderated discussion, the panelists shared with the audience ways in which they are making their campuses more gender-inclusive. The panelists talked about ways to increase the number of women in higher education leadership and the structures that allow all genders to have a space at the table.
After the panelist segment, student leaders were asked similar panel questions regarding gender equality on campus. This part of the program included Kylie Burke, the Howard University Student Association President, Jaylin Drewry Norfolk State University Student Government Association President, and Kennedy Byrd Benedict College Student Government Association President. Each student leader addressed how they envisioned a gender-equal campus.
The Center for Women, Gender and Global Leadership is grateful to the UN Women representative, panelists, and student leaders for sharing their time to discuss what HBCUs can do to promote and advance gender equality across our campuses.
You can find the recording of the event on the Center's YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/6VVS9a_OzUA
