Assistant Professor of Law at the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Dr. Jennifer Heaven Mike, with two other Law students; Jemimah Neret Pam, Mene Nuka-Gbarayeghe, and an intern of the Center for Governance, Human Rights and Development (CGHRD) Jesutofunmi Jessica Adejumoh received a grant to present their researched paper at Albion College, GLCA and the Mellon Foundation Conference with the theme “Challenging Borders Human Rights Conference” which took place at Albion College, Michigan USA from April 30 to May 2, 2023.
Their paper was titled “Reproductive Rights of Women in Climate Change-Induced Conflicts.”
The Conference featured students and professors from nine different countries. It is worth noting that the representatives of the prestigious American University of Nigeria were the only African participants and black institution at the event, which drew many from different countries and continents!
The AUN’s team research presentation underscored how climate change induces conflict and compromises the reproductive health and rights of women. The presentation examined the challenges that women face in climate change-induced conflict and post-conflict situations, mainly as it affects their reproductive health rights. It made the point that the realization of women’s reproductive and sexual health in a climate change-induced conflict setting is a human right that warrants concerted attention.
The research presentation aims to advocate for gender-sensitive responses to the reproductive and sexual health of women and girls as a matter of fundamental human right.
Chatting with our correspondence, Dr. Jennifer Mike said, “We perceived it as an honor and also a duty to represent ourselves, our school, our country, and even our race. This was an opportunity we took by the horn with great zeal, enthusiasm, and fierce passion.”
She continued, “Climate change is an urgent affair that affects us in ways far beyond environmental pollution. Our Faculty-student presentation at the conference aimed to highlight this more poignantly,” Dr. Jennifer Heaven Mike stressed.
At the multidisciplinary conference, it was obvious that climate change actively affects human rights, as indicated in a number of presentations, and that this has a domino effect on critical issues such as modern slavery, discrimination, governance, and world and local economies, amongst others. These contributions from lawyers, political scientists, and even mathematicians helped the world understand that all hands must be on deck to safeguard human rights and protect the planet.
The lead, Dr. Jennifer, knew what her students would gain, so she made them attend pedagogy workshops and intensive training sessions to enhance their advocacy skills and promote critical thinking.
Reported by John Abah