Gender Mobile Initiative Partners LASUED to Strengthen Fight Against Sexual Harassment on Campus

The Gender Mobile Initiative, a Lagos-based non-governmental organization focused on eliminating sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), has intensified its partnership with the Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) through a sensitization programme aimed at strengthening awareness, prevention, and reporting mechanisms on sexual harassment within the institution.

The programme, held on Monday, 20 April 2026, at the Oluremi Tinubu Hall, Oto/Ijanikin Campus, was convened under a Memorandum of Understanding between both institutions to promote a safer and more accountable learning environment.

Speaking at the event, the Director of the Centre for Response and Prevention of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Dr. Christianah Elegbede, commended the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bidemi Bilkis Lafiaji-Okuneye, for her consistent support and firm stance on zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

She stressed the need for sustained institutional commitment to safeguarding students, noting that both male and female students must be protected from all forms of harassment within academic spaces. She added that the initiative is designed to equip students with practical knowledge on prevention, response, and reporting of such cases.

The Acting Dean of Students Affairs, Dr. R.A. Dawodu, also praised the university management for facilitating the programme, encouraging students to take full advantage of the platform to better understand institutional procedures for addressing harassment-related issues.

He emphasized the importance of awareness in ensuring that students know the appropriate steps to take when confronted with such situations.

A key session was facilitated by Emmanuel Olatunde, who provided a detailed overview of sexual harassment, outlining its various forms, including physical harassment, cyberstalking, intimidation, and unsolicited sexual communications across digital platforms. He noted that weak policy enforcement and lack of confidential reporting systems often worsen the problem in institutional environments.

Another facilitator, Blessings Omotunde, presented the university’s policy framework on sexual harassment. She highlighted key components such as zero tolerance enforcement, confidential reporting mechanisms, preventive education, bystander intervention strategies, and mandatory training programmes, while cautioning against the misuse of reporting systems through false allegations.

As part of the initiative, selected students were inaugurated as Gender Mobile Ambassadors, also referred to as Campus Champions. Their role includes promoting awareness, supporting preventive education, and reinforcing anti-harassment policies within the university community.

A major feature of the programme was the introduction of the Campus Pal App, a digital reporting platform designed to provide confidential channels for victims and witnesses of harassment. Students were encouraged to utilize the app or call the dedicated hotline (07000000002) to report incidents safely and discreetly.

Participants were further urged to adopt the campaign message: “See something, step up, step in, and stay safe.”

The programme concluded with closing remarks from the Students Affairs Officer, Mr. Idowu, who reaffirmed LASUED’s commitment to maintaining a safe, secure, and harassment-free academic environment.