Welcome

IFENDU, in Igbo language, means ‘the light of life, ‘and signifies the saving light of awareness. Ifendu For Women's Development (IFENDU) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization founded by Rose Uchem in the spirit of the congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary whose originating charism is the promotion of gender parity in family life by providing for African women access to the (then exclusive) world of education. IFENDU came into existence out of the realization that although many Nigerian women have received formal school education, pioneered by Holy Rosary Sisters since 1928 and some have acquired higher education, formal education alone without corresponding changes in society's attitude towards women has not lifted the cultural, social and economic burdens that women bear (Uchem, R., N., 2001, Overcoming women's subordination, p. 251).

Organization's Overall Mission and Objectives

IFENDU means ‘the light of life’ that comes from heightened awareness. Its mission is to educate women, men and youth to dismantle oppressive cultural and religious systems that undermine women’s full human status and to promote women’s full participation in all spheres of life on a basis of co-equality with men. Its vision is a new world in which men and women are valued equally and work together harmoniously as co-equal partners. 

IFENDU addresses major issues in the interface of:
Gender, Religion and Culture;
Sexuality,
HIV/AIDS;
Human Trafficking as well as Environmental Issues/Care of the Earth.

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