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| Panel Session on 'Driving Ownership of Anti-SGBV Safeguarding Practices Across Nigerian Tertiary Institutions'. Image Credit: Shehu Musa Yar'adua Foundation |
By Cynthia Umeh
On November 28, 2024, the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation, with support from Ford Foundation, and in partnership with Education as a Vaccine, Gender Mobile, and TechHer Nigeria, hosted a public policy forum titled, ‘Driving Ownership of Anti-SGBV Safeguarding Practices Across Nigerian Tertiary Institutions’. This event aimed to address the pervasive issue of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Nigerian tertiary institutions and to discuss actionable strategies for creating safer campuses.
At Shades of Us, we believe in the power of storytelling to amplify voices, challenge societal norms, and drive social change. SGBV silences countless students, robbing them of safety and dignity. We attended this forum to stand with survivors, advocate for justice, and commit to creating narratives that promote accountability and awareness.
Presentations
Dr. Olanike S. Adelakun (Lead City University, Ibadan)
Dr. Adelakun’s presentation, Safeguarding Students and Young Adults in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions: An Evaluation of the Gender Justice Project, provided a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities in combating SGBV on campuses.
Key Points:
Understanding SGBV in Tertiary Institutions
Common forms of SGBV include sexual harassment by staff or peers, exploitation in exchange for grades, and physical or emotional abuse.
SGBV creates an unsafe learning environment, undermining the dignity, safety, and academic success of students.
The Reality of SGBV in Nigeria
58% of female students in tertiary institutions have experienced SGBV, yet only 2% of cases are reported due to fear of stigma and retaliation.
Psychological trauma, academic decline, and even suicide are common consequences.
Strategies for Change
Institutionalize prevention and response mechanisms.
Promote accountability and zero-tolerance policies.
Foster behavioral change through awareness programs and leadership commitment.
Jemimah Michaels (TechHer Nigeria)
Jemimah’ session, Leveraging Technology to Drive Ownership of Anti-SGBV Safeguarding Practices, focused on the potential of digital tools to combat technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV).
Key Highlights:
Understanding TFGBV
TFGBV includes cyberbullying, cyberstalking, non-consensual intimate image distribution, and doxxing.
This form of violence has devastating consequences such as emotional distress, academic decline, and psychological trauma.
Technology as a Safeguarding Tool
Anonymous Reporting Platforms: Tools like KURAM empower survivors to report incidents without fear.
Data-Driven Advocacy: Insights from digital platforms can inform policy and advocacy.
Educational Resources: Technology can raise awareness and educate students and staff on GBV prevention.
Implementation Strategies
Embed anti-SGBV policies into institutional frameworks.
Equip stakeholders with the skills to utilize digital tools effectively.
Partner with organizations for resource sharing and expertise.
Panel Discussion
The panel session, moderated by Halimatu Sadiya Ochekliye, brought together experts, advocates, and stakeholders to discuss the barriers to combating SGBV and strategies for institutionalizing safeguarding practices.
Omowumi Ogunrotimi Esq. (Gender Mobile Initiative)
Ogunrotimi emphasized the need for a multi-stakeholder approach to ensure policies align with the lived realities of students.
Challenges: Denial of SGBV issues by institutions, resource constraints, and legal gaps.
Recommendations: Strategic partnerships, evidence-based advocacy, and engaging government stakeholders to align mandates with action.
Bunmi Olugasa (ICPC)
As the Lead of the Sexual Harassment Team, Olugasa focused on the importance of dynamic policies and stakeholder involvement.
Key Insights: Policies should evolve with societal changes, and stakeholder participation fosters accountability.
Role of Government: Strong enforcement of mandates is essential for sustainable change.
Teniola Balogun (Student Advocate, Bayero University Kano)
Balogun shared practical strategies for engaging students and faculty in anti-SGBV initiatives.
Approaches: Peer-led dialogues, awareness campaigns, and holding school management accountable.
Student Responsibility: Advocating for safer campuses through active participation.
Osaruonamen Ibizugbe (Project Officer, CJID)
Ibizugbe highlighted the role of the media in shaping public perception of SGBV.
Challenges: Lack of awareness and inadequate media representation of SGBV issues.
Solutions: Sensitizing media professionals to report accurately and promoting transparency to build trust in institutional mechanisms.
After the panel session, we had a moving performance by Loveth Liberty Artistry, whose spoken word piece captured the emotional toll of SGBV and the need for collective action to end it.
Recommendations
Strengthen Institutional Policies: Develop clear, actionable anti-SGBV frameworks aligned with global standards.
Train Stakeholders Regularly: Provide capacity-building workshops for staff, students, and policymakers.
Promote Peer-Led Advocacy: Empower students to lead anti-SGBV campaigns and create a culture of respect.
Use Technology Wisely: Leverage anonymous reporting tools and data-driven insights to enhance safeguarding practices.
Engage Media Effectively: Train media professionals to report on SGBV with sensitivity and accuracy.
Foster Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration: Build partnerships across institutions, government, NGOs, and advocacy groups.
Address Cultural Resistance: Challenge societal norms and build community trust to encourage reporting and action.
The forum underscored the urgent need for a collaborative approach to combat SGBV in Nigerian tertiary institutions. By integrating technology, fostering partnerships, and prioritizing awareness, we can create safer campuses and a brighter future for Nigerian students.
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