GENDER MOBILE PARTNERS WITH NANS TO ADDRESS SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN NIGERIAN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS

Gendermobile

GenderMobile

Feb 19, 2021 — 2 mins read
Executive Director GMI & NANS President

Executive Director GMI & NANS President

On the 9th of February 2021, Gender Mobile Initiative (GMI) renewed its partnership via a signed agreement with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) as part of efforts to nip in the bud, the occurrence of sexual and gender-based violence in Tertiary Institutions through our Campus Initiative Project.

The Executive Director of Gender Mobile Initiative, Barr. Omowumi Ogunrotimi informed Mr. Dayo Asefon, the new President of NANS about the organization’s Campus Initiative which is aimed at supporting Tertiary Institutions to strengthen their response to cases of sexual violence through the provision of a model sexual harassment prohibition policy template for institutions to adopt, build the capacity of students who would serve as active bystanders and advocates against sexual harassment, and the adoption of our Mobile App ‘Campus Pal’ to drive confidential reportage of sexual harassment cases.

Executive Director of GMI Omowumi Ogunrotimi and NANS President  Mr Dayo Asefon

Executive Director of GMI Omowumi Ogunrotimi and NANS President Mr Dayo Asefon

Barr. Ogunrotimi spoke about sexual harassment in environments of learning, stating that it is not peculiar to one gender but that female students are disproportionately affected by such menace. She further stated that research carried out by GMI and other authorities revealed that students are often aware of their peers who are experiencing sexual harassment and pointed out that a Bystander Intervention Mechanism (Campus Ambassadors) has been developed by GMI to build the capacity of students who would act as proactive bystanders capable of intervening in a positive, pro-social way upon witnessing incidents of sexual harassment. 

Barr. Ogunrotimi also highlighted the importance of engaging NANS as a critical stakeholder in anti-sexual harassment and advocacy efforts. Being an association focused on addressing the concerns of students in Tertiary Institutions across Nigeria, NANS is strategically positioned to support the implementation of the Campus Initiative by providing better access for GMI to engage with Tertiary Institutions while maximizing resources.

NANS President: Mr Dayo Asefon @ Gendermobile office

NANS President: Mr Dayo Asefon @ Gendermobile office

Mr. Asefon commended Gender Mobile on its efforts and mentioned that NANS is committed to ensuring that the goal and objectives of the Campus Initiative is achieved within the shortest period of time. Highlighting the despicable instance of sex for grades where lecturers demand for sex from students in exchange for grades, he stated that such anomaly is a war that student leaders must tackle collectively.

Mr. Asefon also indicated that as most Vice Presidents of Student Unions are females reflecting gender parity in student body compositions, such persons should actively collaborate with GMI and other stakeholders in prevention and response efforts and to support victims/survivors of sexual harassment who are statistically females.

Members of NANS and Gendermobile Team

Members of NANS and Gendermobile Team

The event which marked the continued partnership between GMI and NANS, reaffirmed collaborative efforts to fight against the menace of sexual violence in Tertiary Institutions. 


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