Women from around world brought together for forum

A panel discussion held Tuesday as part of West Virginia University's Diversity Week brought together women from around the world to discuss gender equality, or inequality, in their respective countries.

The panel, "Global Perspectives on Women and Gender," drew a large crowd. The room was full, leaving several students sitting on the floor when the provided seating had filled.

Speakers from Nigeria, China, Indonesia, Germany and Brazil were present at the event. It was moderated by Dr. Ann Oberhauser, Director of Women Studies at WVU.

Among the events discussed were work and employment, health care, education and literacy, family and marriage, population control, politics and voting rights.

The event aimed to compare developed and developing countries to see whether they have similar problems.

The speaker from Germany, Tahnee Bucher, said men and women have absolutely equal rights and responsibilities there.

She also spoke about how the population is gradually declining and women are paid 75 percent of their income for staying at home after giving birth to a child, and the average age of marriage is 29.

These circumstances are drastically different from those in other countries like Indonesia and China.

Adebol Akintunde, from Nigeria, said there are laws to empower and protect women in Nigeria, but very few people follow them.

Domestic violence, polygamy and better education are the major issues the country is addressing right now.

Akintunde has been in the United States for four months and hopes to go back to Nigeria to start her own elementary school there.

"I am here on a program that helps students become proficient in their subject," Akintunde said.

"And I'm very happy at the number of people who showed up and supported us for the event."