THE Centre for Response and Prevention of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (CRPSGBV) at the Lagos State University recently hosted a visit from the Federal Ministry of Education team, led by Mrs Ezonebi Azorbo, to develop national guidelines for eliminating sexual harassment in tertiary institutions.
The visit, held on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at the Senate Chamber, Babatunde Raji Fashola Senate Building, Ojo, Lagos, aimed to address the increasing number of sexual harassment cases in educational institutions.
The Acting Director of CRPSGBV, Dr Igot Ofem, represented by Dr Olawunmi Macaulay-Adeyelure, Assistant Director, Rape Issues, appreciated the team for selecting LASU as one of the institutions to participate in this exercise. She provided an introduction to the Centre and shared insights into their approach to handling cases, emphasising the strong support of the University management in combating Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) on campus.
The Director highlighted the University's efforts to ensure that all staff, students, and stakeholders are aware of the rules and regulations against any form of GBV within the institution. Relevant SGBV documents were also shared with the visiting team.
Also, Dr Oluremi Savage, Assistant Director, Sexual Harassment (CRPSGBV), explained how the Centre handles cases involving students and external parties, ensuring that all parties are referred to the appropriate channels for resolution.
The visiting team distributed questionnaires to students and staff representatives to gather valuable insights on how sexual harassment is being eliminated on campus. The meeting was attended by key individuals, including the Dean of the Student Affairs Division, Dr Abiodun Fatai-Abatan, the Director of Health Services, Dr Nasir Ariyibi, Assistant Director (CRPSGBV), Gender-Based Violence, Dr Samad Lawal, CRPSGBV Registry Staff Members, the Student Union Vice-president, Oladiran Mercy Olubunmi, Faculty Mentors, and others.
The collective presence of these individuals demonstrates the University's commitment to addressing and eradicating sexual harassment. The visit by the Federal Ministry of Education team to CRPSGBV (LASU) is a significant step towards developing national guidelines for eliminating sexual harassment in tertiary institutions, highlighting the University's dedication to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all members of its community.
