24TH INAUGURAL LECTURE: REDEEMER’S UNIVERSITY DON ADVOCATES GENDER-INCLUSIVE HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE .

24TH INAUGURAL LECTURE: REDEEMER’S UNIVERSITY DON ADVOCATES GENDER-INCLUSIVE HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE .

Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, has held its 24th inaugural lecture with a call for stronger integration of gender perspectives into humanitarian interventions and psychosocial support systems.

The lecture, titled “Vulnerability, Voice and Valour: Navigating Transformative Frontiers in Gender, Humanitarianism, and Psychosocial Wellbeing,” was delivered by Professor of Gender and Humanitarianism, Prof. Oluwatoyin Olatundun Ilesanmi.

Speaking during the lecture, Prof. Ilesanmi emphasized the need to place gender and humanitarianism within a common analytical and practical framework to better understand vulnerability, design equitable interventions and promote sustainable development across Africa.

She argued that gender is a structural factor influencing access to education, leadership, healthcare, safety, livelihood opportunities and personal autonomy, while humanitarianism extends beyond emergency relief to encompass the restoration of dignity and human capability during crises.

The professor also highlighted the dangers of gender blindness in humanitarian responses, noting that marginalized groups often bear the greatest burden during crises when gender considerations are overlooked.
According to Prof. Ilesanmi, integrating scholarship, policy and psychosocial support can create new opportunities for peacebuilding, governance reforms and social protection, while enabling universities to serve as centres of inclusion and support rather than institutions that reinforce inequality.

In her academic journey, Prof. Ilesanmi traced her educational background to the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, where she earned a degree in English Studies, before obtaining a Master’s degree in Guidance and Counselling and a doctorate in Clinical and Humanitarian Psychology, Gender and Development, and Conflictology from the University of Ibadan.

The scholar, who currently heads the Centre for Gender, Humanitarian and Development Studies at Redeemer’s University, has authored more than 70 publications and edited several literary works.

The inaugural lecture was attended by academics, students and other distinguished guests from within and outside the university community.