US-Based Nigerian Student Kicks Off Research to Advance Conversation on Igbo Women Empowerment
Genevieve Egbunno, a Nigerian PhD candidate at the University of California Merced, has embarked on groundbreaking research to explore and address critical issues affecting Igbo women.
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Her work focuses on the intersections of economic empowerment, gender roles, marriage, and cultural norms within the Igbo community.
Source: Original
Genevieve’s passion for empowering women stems from her extensive work through Sovieve Academy, an organization she founded to support young disadvantaged girls, women, and youth.
“My goal has always been to create spaces where women and girls can thrive, regardless of cultural or systemic limitations,” she shared.
Her PhD research, part of the Interdisciplinary Humanities program, adopts an ethnographic approach to understand the dynamics within Igbo family systems.
“I’m particularly interested in how economic empowerment interacts with masculinity, marriage, and gender norms to shape outcomes for women and families,” she explained. In the summer of 2023, Genevieve conducted a pilot study across four southeastern Nigerian states and one southwestern state with significant Igbo populations.
Source: Original
Her work was made possible through a grant from the Community Foundation of Merced County (CFMC).
“I struggled to secure funding for my fieldwork until CFMC believed in my vision and provided 100% of the required resources,” she said.
The foundation, known for supporting local solutions and strengthening communities, recognized Genevieve’s research as pivotal.
“Their support has allowed me to engage deeply with the Igbo society and uncover vital insights,” she noted.
Preliminary Findings and a Global Perspective
Early results from Genevieve’s research have prompted her to include a transnational perspective in her study.
This expanded approach aims to situate Igbo women’s experiences within a broader global framework.
“By incorporating international elements, I hope to provide a more nuanced understanding of these issues and contribute to global discourse on women’s rights,” she remarked.
Genevieve envisions her research influencing policies that enhance women’s rights and address marital conflict.
“This work is not just academic; it’s about driving change and amplifying the voices of Igbo women,” she emphasized.
She also hopes her findings will contribute to the fields of women’s empowerment, conflict resolution, marriage studies, and Igbo studies.
“The intersection of these areas is where meaningful progress can be made,” she added.
Genevieve’s initiative is a testament to the transformative power of education, advocacy, and community engagement. .
Her journey highlights the potential for research to drive social change, making her a beacon of hope for Igbo women and beyond.
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